Scholar's mate

What Scholar's mate is

Scholar's mate is a checkmate that White delivers on the fourth move by attacking the f7 square with the queen and bishop. As the name suggests, it is mostly beginners who fall for it.

An experienced player easily repels such an attack — and often gets a better position, because the white queen has come out too early and becomes a target.

How it is delivered

White brings the bishop to c4 and the queen to h5 — both pieces aim at f7. Black misses the threat: 3… Nf6?? attacks the queen but allows mate.

Why f7 is a weak point

In the starting position the pawn on f7 is defended only by the king. Attack it with two pieces and one defender is not enough. White has the same weak point — the pawn on f2.

How to defend

The main rule: before you move, ask yourself — what is my opponent threatening? After 3. Qh5 the threat is Qxf7#. There are several defences:

• 3… g6 — the pawn chases the queen away. But after 4. Qf3 the mate threat is back, and you must answer 4… Nf6: the knight blocks the queen's path to f7.
• 3… Qe7 — the queen defends f7 herself.

Opening principle: do not bring your queen out too early. Your opponent will attack it with pieces and develop with gain of time.

Try it yourself