Check or mate?

Check vs checkmate

Check is an attack on the king. There are three ways out: move the king, take the checking piece, or block. Checkmate is a check with no way out. Beginners often mix them up: they call mate when the king can still escape, or miss that the check is already mate.

The trainer shows a checking move with an arrow. Decide whether it is mate or just check. Positions come from lichess mate puzzles: each has a mate in one, and sometimes another check that looks very much like mate is shown instead. After the answer the move is made, and if it is just check an arrow shows the way out.

How to play

1. Look at the arrow: this is the move that gives check.
2. Check the three ways out: can the king move, can the checking piece be taken, can the check be blocked.
3. Press Check if there is a way out, or Mate if there is none.
4. At the end: correct answers, accuracy and best streak.

Questions and answers

How do I tell check from mate?

Check in order: does the king have a free square the opponent does not attack; can the checking piece be taken; can a piece be put between it and the king. If there is no way out, it is mate.

Where do the positions come from?

From the open lichess database of mate puzzles. Mate or not is decided by the program from the rules of chess, so the answers are always exact.

How do the levels differ?

By the number of pieces: up to 12 on Easy, 13 to 20 on Medium, more than 20 on Hard. The more pieces, the harder it is to see where the king can go or who can block.

Is it free?

Yes, the trainer is free and works without sign-up.