There are a lot of little kids out there who love winning games with SCHOLAR'S MATE.

It's crude but it can be effective, even against some grownups.

But it's very easy to stop SCHOLAR'S MATE: you just have to know how.

Your first question is this: It's Black's move.

Which of these moves should he choose?

Ng8-f6 g7-g6

f7-f6 Nb8-c6


OK, let's get this right.

White's Queen move THREATENED the Pawn on e5.

Even one Pawn is important in chess. If you don't defend it your opponent's extra pawn might become a Queen.

So Black should choose a move which DEFENDS the Pawn.

Next question: White's just moved his Bishop out!

What should Black play now?

g7-g6 Ng8-f6

Bf8-c5 d7-d5


Congratulations! You've avoided checkmate!

White's just moved his Queen back to f3. Look VERY CAREFULLY at what he's trying to do before choosing your move.

Nc6-d4 Ng8-f6

Bf8-c5 Bf8-g7


Yes, you've found the right move again.

White's now moved his Pawn from g2 to g4.

Take a look at this move. White's cunning plan is to advance the Pawn again to THREATEN your KNIGHT, and, when the Knight moves, he'll get CHECKMATE on f7.

That's a pretty scary plan, but you'll be fine as long as you act fast. Try to find a way to THREATEN the White Queen and drive her away. How can you do that?

Bc8xg4 Nf6xe4

Nc6-d4 With a machine gun


White, as expected has moved his Queen - to e3. Can you find a really good move for Black here?

Nf6xg4 Bf8-c5

d7-d5 Nd4xc2+


What a fantastic move!!

Just take a look at that Black Knight.

It's THREATENING the Rook on a1!

It's THREATENING the Queen on e3!!

AND it's CHECKING the King on e1!!!

White must move his King to get out of check, and next move Black can choose between taking the Queen (best!) and the Rook.

Let's suppose White moves his Queen to d1 instead.

Which of these moves is best?

Nf6xe4 Bf8-c5

Nd4-f3+ Nd4xc2+


Yes, a free pawn is always worth having.

Now White's foolishly moved his Pawn from f2 to f3. It's time to think about CHECKMATE! But how?

Nd4xf3+ Ne4-g3

Ne4-f2 Qd8-h4+


White had no choice that time - moving the King to f1 was the only way to get out of check.

It's over to you for the winning move.

Qh4-h3+ Qh4-f2+

Ne4-d2+ Ne4-g3+


Yes, it's CHECKMATE!

The Queen next to the King - remember!

The Knight on e4 is DEFENDING the Queen on f2!

So now you know how to stop SCHOLAR'S MATE!

Some kids try to get SCHOLAR'S MATE by moving the Queen to f3.

The easiest move for Black is just to play Ng8-f6, blocking the Queen's path to f7.

As long as you keep your Knight there you'll be safe.

Some kids try to get SCHOLAR'S MATE by moving the Bishop out first.

Again, the easiset move is Ng8-f6. Now, if the Queen goes to h5 you can just CAPTURE it.

But there's nothing wrong with playing Bf8-c5, as long as you're CAREFUL.

In this position White has TWO THREATS. Make sure you've found them both before choosing your next move.

g7-g6 Nb8-c6

Ng8-f6 Qd8-e7


So, remind me again.

Is g7-g6 a good move in this position?

Of course it is

Don't be silly


What about this position?

Is g7-g6 a good idea here?

Of course it is

Don't be silly


And is g7-g6 a really terrific idea in this position?

Of course it is

Don't be silly


What do you think about Nb8-c6 for Black in this position?

A really good move!

A really bad move!


And what do you think about Nb8-c6 for Black in this position?

A really good move!

A really bad move!


So now you know all about how to stop SCHOLAR'S MATE!

Yes, if you try it against someone who doesn't know it you may well win quickly.

But if you try it against someone good, you'll probably run into trouble.

And if someone tries it against you, you know exactly what to do!

Congratulations!!
You have now completed the SCHOLAR'S MATE PART 2 assignment.