Chess rules

Scholar's mate in four moves

Scholar's mate is a four-move checkmate that beginners often fall for. Watch it happen, then play both sides: deliver it as White, and stop it as Black.

Scholar's mate explained

White attacks the f7 pawn, which is guarded only by the king at the start of the game, with the queen and a bishop. The usual moves are 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Qh5 Nf6?? 4. Qxf7#.

It works against beginners who do not see the threat. Strong players defend it easily, so do not rely on it. Each defense also teaches a useful idea: guard f7 or attack the queen.

How do I defend against scholar's mate?

After 3. Qh5, play g6 to attack the queen, or Qe7 to guard f7, or Nh6 to guard f7 with the knight.

Why is f7 weak?

At the start it is protected only by the king, and the white bishop on c4 and queen on h5 both aim at it.

Should I play it as White?

It is fine to try against a beginner, but a better player will stop it and your queen will be out early.

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Questions

Is scholar's mate a real checkmate?

Yes. It is a full checkmate in four moves, the fastest one that does not need the opponent to blunder as badly as in the fool's mate.

Why is it called scholar's mate?

The name is old and well known as a beginner's trap; it appears in many early chess books.

What is the fastest checkmate in chess?

The fool's mate, in two moves, but it needs White to play very badly.