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Mating Patterns – Chess Tactics Course Syllabus

This syllabus page outlines the mating patterns taught in my chess tactics course. These patterns represent recurring ways kings are trapped, restricted, and checkmated in practical games — often as the final goal of a successful tactical sequence. For the complete tactics overview, see the Chess Tactics Hub →

Fundamental Checkmate Ideas

• Checkmate as a process: restricting escape squares before delivering the final blow
• Support mates and the role of piece coordination
• Why many mating patterns arise naturally from tactical pressure

Back-Rank & Restricted-King Patterns

• Back-rank mate motifs and the importance of luft
• Converting back-rank weaknesses into forced wins
• Corridor and rank-file confinement ideas

Smothered & Suffocation-Based Mates

• Smothered mate patterns and their common triggers
• Using sacrifices to force king confinement
• Opening-trap and middlegame versions of smothered mates

Rook, Knight & Support-Mate Patterns

• Anastasia-type ideas using rook and knight coordination
• Arabian-style mates and king-driving techniques
• Support mates that rely on controlling key escape squares

Classic Historical Mating Patterns

• Patterns named after classical games and players
• Why these patterns still appear in modern practical play
• Recognising familiar mating shapes across different positions

Building Mating Nets in Practical Games

• Removing or celebrating escape squares as a strategic goal
• Combining forcing moves to tighten the net step by step
• Knowing when a mating attack is justified — and when it isn’t