Checkmate in one
The single biggest point-maker on the test. Here is the checklist that finds it every time.
Roughly 41% of every question on the UIL Chess Puzzle test asks for the best move, and most of the time the best move is checkmate in one. If your student learns nothing else, learn this.
The three-question check
When a question asks for the best move, first list every move that gives check. Then ask three questions about each one:
- Can the king move? Look at all eight squares around it. If even one is safe, it is not mate.
- Can they block? Only possible against a rook, bishop or queen — never against a knight, and never against a check from an adjacent square.
- Can they capture the checking piece? Check every enemy piece, not just the obvious ones.
If all three answers are no, that is checkmate, and it is always the correct answer.
Try it yourself
What is White's best move?
- a) ♖d5
- b) ♖d6
- c) ♖a4 ← correct
- d) ♖b4
♖a4 is checkmate. The Black king on a6 is attacked, every escape square is covered, and the check can't be blocked or the checking piece captured. Always look for a mate-in-one first.
What is White's best move?
- a) ♕h6
- b) ♕h2 ← correct
- c) ♕d4
- d) ♕g3
♕h2 is checkmate. The Black king on h4 is attacked, every escape square is covered, and the check can't be blocked or the checking piece captured. Always look for a mate-in-one first.
What is Black's best move?
- a) ♖h1 ← correct
- b) ♖h3
- c) ♖f5
- d) ♖h7
♖h1 is checkmate. The White king on a1 is attacked, every escape square is covered, and the check can't be blocked or the checking piece captured. Always look for a mate-in-one first.
Common questions
What is the most common question on the UIL Chess Puzzle test?
Asking for the best move, which makes up about 41% of all questions. In most cases the correct answer is a checkmate in one move.
How do I know if a move is really checkmate?
Ask three questions: can the king move to a safe square, can another piece block the check, and can any piece capture the checking piece? If all three answers are no, it is checkmate.
Practice this for free
Work through it with instant feedback, then take a timed mock meet in the real 30-minute format.
Open the practice app