Swallow's tail mate

In this pattern, a protected queen stands directly beside the king on the same row or column. The queen checks at close range and controls most nearby squares. Two of the defender's own pieces occupy the remaining diagonal exits, forming a shape that resembles a swallow's tail.

The queen seals the straight line

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

a1

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

The queen on f5 checks e5 and currently attacks e4, e6, f4, and f6.

Two diagonal exits are blocked

In the static position, the queen on f5 checks the king on e5 and attacks e4, e6, f4, and f6. The black pawns occupy d4 and d6, and the white king on g4 protects the queen. d5 is not attacked while the king remains on e5; if it tries to move to d5, it vacates e5, opens the f5-e5-d5 line, and makes the destination illegal.

1. The queen on f5 checks e5 and currently attacks e4, e6, f4, and f6.
2. The black pawns on d4 and d6 occupy the two diagonal squares that form the pattern's tail.
3. The white king on g4 protects the queen on f5, so the black king cannot capture it.

The king cannot capture the queen because another attacking piece protects it. It also cannot move through its own units. As with any close queen mate, the attacker must confirm that no other defender can capture the queen or otherwise answer the check. A rook can produce a version of the pattern when other pieces cover the additional squares that a rook does not control.

The decisive difference from dovetail mate is the queen's orientation. In swallow's tail mate the queen is next to the king on the same row or column; in dovetail mate it is diagonally adjacent. Epaulette mate also uses the defender's own pieces as blockers, but places them directly on the king's shoulders.