noun / verb

mate

An inescapable attack on a king that ends a chess game.

The queen delivers mate in the corner of the board.

Etymology

mateEnglishinescapable attack on the king

Mate shortens checkmate. The full chess expression traces to a phrase describing the king as defeated or helpless, matching the position in which no escape from attack remains.

More examples

He mated his opponent in three moves.
The position contains a forced mate.
She has mated the exposed king.

Forms

mate · mates · mated · mating

Similar words

checkmate: The full term for the same chess condition.
check: An attack on the king that can still be escaped.