Max Lange's mate

In Max Lange's mate, the queen gives the final check and a bishop protects it. That bishop normally performs a second job by controlling a nearby escape square.

A queen can attack in several directions, but it cannot remain beside the king if the king can capture it. The bishop's diagonal support makes the mating square safe. The defender's pieces or the board edge close any exits not covered by the queen and bishop themselves.

To verify the pattern, separate the jobs. First confirm that the queen attacks the king. Then confirm that the bishop protects the queen and controls the key exit. If the bishop only protects the queen without helping to confine the king, the position may be a different queen-and-bishop mate.