Scholar's Mate
King's Pawn Opening · beginner · set by White
Mate in 4 if Black develops naturally without watching f7.
White's queen and bishop both aim at f7, the weakest square in Black's starting position (only defended by the king). If Black develops with ...Nf6 instead of noticing the threat, White's queen captures on f7 for checkmate. The defense is simple once you know it: either attack the queen with ...g6, or bring a piece back to guard f7.
Move by move
- 1. e4: Opens the center and clears the path for the bishop and queen.
- 1... e5: Natural developing reply, opening room for Black's own pieces.
- 2. Bc4: Aims the bishop straight at f7, the weakest square in Black's camp.
- 2... Nc6: Also natural — but this is the moment the trap depends on.
- 3. Qh5: Brings the queen out alongside the bishop, doubling up on f7.
- 3... Nf6 (the mistake): Looks like normal development, but ignores the threat completely — this is the losing move.
- 4. Qxf7#: Both attackers converge on f7 with nothing left to defend it — checkmate.
Safe instead: g6