Pawn mate

A pawn mate occurs when a pawn is the piece giving the final check. The king cannot escape, capture the pawn, or neutralize the attack, so the game ends.

The pattern can take many forms. Since a pawn attacks only the two forward diagonal squares, it needs help to cover everything else. That help may come from the king, other pieces, and often the defender's own pieces or pawns blocking escape.

It is also called the David and Goliath mate because the least valuable piece finishes the king. The label depends on which piece gives check , not which piece prepared the attack. If a pawn only blocks an exit while a rook gives check, it is not a pawn mate.

The pawn gives checkThe pawn only closes an exit

The Pawn Delivers the Mate

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

a1

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

The pawn attacks h8 on its forward diagonal: it is the mating piece.

g7 directly attacks h8

The pawn on g7 gives check. The white king protects it and controls g8, while the black pawn on h7 occupies the other exit.

1. The pawn attacks h8 on its forward diagonal: it is the mating piece.
2. The black pawn on h7 blocks the final escape square.