How to Do the Scholars Mate

Recently, many people have been picking up one of the world's oldest games, chess. With the popularity of "The Queen's Gambit" on Netflix, many new players are picking up the game, and are looking for an easy trick to win games quickly. In this you will learn how to do the Scholar's Mate with the white pieces, a tactic that can checkmate your opponent in 4 moves if they're not careful.

Supplies

In order to do this all you will need is a way to play chess, whether it's online or a physical chess set.

Step 1: The First Move

To start off as white you get the first move, you will want to push your "e" pawn 2 squares forward. This move opens up diagonals for your bishop and queen which is what will checkmate the opposing king.

Step 2: Move 2

On the second move, assuming that your opponent has not moved their "d" pawn up two spaces to the "d5" square, you will move your light square bishop up and to the left 3 squares to the "c4" square.

Step 3: Move 3

On move three, as long as your bishop is not being attacked you will want to bring out your queen. You will move it up to the right 4 squares to the "h5" square.

Step 4: Move 4 (Checkmate)

As long as your queen and bishop are still not being attacked, and the diagonals to the "f7" square are open, move your queen up to the left 2 and deliver checkmate. The queen is protected by the bishop so the king cannot capture it, and the king has nowhere to run.

Step 5: Alternate Move 4

Your opponent is however likely to push their "g" pawn forward a square in order to attack your queen, if this happens go to plan B. Move your queen down to the left 2 squares to the "f3" square, here it will be out of danger, and it can still go to the "f7" square on the next move.

Step 6: Move 5 (Checkmate)

Once again, as long as there is nothing between the "f7" square and your bishop and queen, you will move your queen forward 4 squares to the "f7" square. Once again, this will be checkmate as the queen is supported by the bishop and there is nowhere for the king to escape.