ChessMatec.com: Can you checkmate the king with the queen in one move?

Let's analyze each of the six chessboards in the image to determine which one allows a checkmate in one move using the Queen.

We are looking for a position where:

- It is your turn, and you have a Queen.
- You can deliver checkmate in one move with the Queen.
- The King is under attack and cannot escape (no legal moves, blocked escape squares, etc.).

We’ll go through each board one by one.

---

🔹 Board 1 (Top Left)

```
White pieces:
- Queen at D4
- Pawn at G2
- King at H1

Black pieces:
- King at A8
- Rook at B8
- Pawn at B6
```

- White to move. Queen at D4.
- Can the Queen deliver checkmate?
- Queen on D4 → can attack along rank 4, file D, diagonals.
- Black King is at A8 — far away.
- No direct line from D4 to A8 (not same rank/file/diagonal).
- Even if Queen moves to A8? But there’s a Rook at B8 and King at A8 — but A8 is occupied.
- So no way to attack A8 directly.
- Also, King at A8 is not in check currently.
- Cannot checkmate in one move.

✘ No checkmate possible

---

🔹 Board 2 (Top Right)

```
White pieces:
- Queen at E3
- Rook at F1
- King at G1

Black pieces:
- King at A8
```

- White to move. Queen at E3.
- Black King is at A8.
- Is the King in check? No — not attacked yet.
- Can Queen move to A8? Let’s see:
- From E3 to A8: diagonal? E3 → D4 → C5 → B6 → A7 → A8? No, that's not a straight diagonal.
- E3 to A8: difference is 4 files left, 5 ranks up → not same difference → not diagonal.
- Not same rank or file.
- So Queen cannot reach A8 in one move.
- And no other piece threatens A8.
- King at A8 has no immediate threat.

✘ No checkmate possible

---

🔹 Board 3 (Middle Left)

```
White pieces:
- Queen at H5
- Bishop at C4
- King at H1

Black pieces:
- King at F8
```

- White to move. Queen at H5.
- Black King at F8.
- Check: Can Queen attack F8?
- H5 to F8: 2 files left, 3 ranks up → not same difference → not diagonal.
- Not same rank or file.
- So no direct attack.
- Bishop at C4: can it help? But not relevant here.
- Queen cannot reach F8 directly.

✘ No checkmate possible

---

🔹 Board 4 (Middle Right)

```
White pieces:
- Queen at E5
- King at A1

Black pieces:
- King at D3
```

- White to move. Queen at E5.
- Black King at D3.
- Can Queen attack D3?
- E5 to D3: 1 file left, 2 ranks down → not same difference → not diagonal.
- Not same rank or file.
- So no attack.
- But wait — what about moving Queen to D3? That would be capture, but is it checkmate?

Let’s check:
- If Queen moves to D3, then she attacks D3.
- But is the King in checkmate?
- King at D3 — after Queen captures, it’s gone.
- But we need to see if it was in check before, and if after the move, it’s checkmated.

But the King is not in check now.

Wait — actually, let’s reevaluate.

Is there any square the Queen can move to that puts the King in checkmate?

- Queen at E5.
- King at D3.
- Distance: E5 → D3: not aligned.

Can Queen move to D3? Yes, but only if it's not blocked.

But D3 is occupied by the King.

So Queen can capture the King? But that would be checkmate.

But the King is not in check now — so no.

Wait — perhaps the King is already in check?

No — Queen at E5 doesn’t attack D3.

Let’s calculate:
- Diagonals: E5 → D4 → C3 → B2 → A1 → (diagonal) → but D3 is not on this diagonal.
- E5 → F4 → G3 → H2 → (other diagonal) → D3 is not on this.
- Rank 5: E5 → D5 → C5 → B5 → A5 → not D3.
- File E: E5 → E4 → E3 → E2 → E1 → not D3.

So no.

But wait — maybe I made a mistake.

Wait: D3 is on the diagonal from E5?

From E5:
- Down-left: D4, C3, B2, A1 → yes, D4, C3...
- D3 is not on that diagonal — D3 is one rank below D4.

So E5 → D4 → C3 → B2 → A1

D3 is not on that diagonal.

E5 → F4 → G3 → H2 → not D3.

So no.

So Queen cannot attack D3.

And King at D3 is not under attack.

So no checkmate.

✘ No checkmate possible

---

🔹 Board 5 (Bottom Left)

```
White pieces:
- Queen at D7
- Rook at A7
- King at A1

Black pieces:
- King at F8
- Queen at F7
```

- White to move. Queen at D7.
- Black King at F8.
- Black Queen at F7.

Now, can white Queen deliver checkmate?

Check current position:
- White Queen at D7.
- Black King at F8.
- Black Queen at F7.

Can white Queen attack F8?

- D7 to F8: 2 files right, 1 rank up → not same difference → not diagonal.
- Not same rank or file.

But wait — what if white Queen moves to F8?

F8 is occupied by black King.

So if Queen moves to F8, it would be checkmate if:
- King is under attack,
- King has no escape.

But first, can Queen move to F8?

- D7 to F8: difference is +2 in file, +1 in rank → not diagonal → no.

So cannot reach F8.

What about attacking F7? But F7 has black Queen.

But we’re looking for checkmate, not just capture.

Alternatively, is there a square the Queen can go to that checks the King and blocks all escapes?

Let’s look at the position more carefully.

Wait — black King at F8, white Queen at D7.

Is there a way to deliver checkmate?

Suppose Queen moves to E8? Is that possible?

- D7 to E8: one file right, one rank up → diagonal → yes!
- E8 is empty.
- After Queen moves to E8, does it attack F8?

Yes! E8 and F8 are adjacent on the same rank.

So Queen at E8 attacks F8.

So now King at F8 is under attack.

Can the King escape?

- King at F8: possible moves: E8, G8, F7.

But:
- E8: occupied by Queen → blocked.
- G8: is it empty? Yes.
- F7: occupied by black Queen → blocked.

So King can try to move to G8.

But is G8 under attack?

Currently, no white piece attacks G8.

So King can escape to G8.

Therefore, not checkmate.

So Queen at E8 gives check, but not checkmate.

Any other move?

What about Queen to F7? But F7 has black Queen — can’t capture unless it’s legal.

But even if captured, King at F8 can still go to G8 or E8.

E8 is empty, so King can go to E8.

So not checkmate.

What about Queen to F8? Impossible — not reachable.

So no.

Wait — but look at the board again.

White Rook at A7.

Is that relevant?

Rook at A7 — can it attack?

A7 is on the same rank as D7 and F7.

But F7 has black Queen.

But white Queen is at D7.

Now, is the King at F8 under any threat?

Only if Queen moves.

But none of the Queen’s moves seem to deliver checkmate.

Wait — perhaps Queen to F8 is not possible, but what about Queen to F7?

- D7 to F7: same rank → yes! D7 → E7 → F7 → same rank 7.
- So Queen can move to F7.
- F7 has black Queen — so it would capture.
- Then King at F8 is under attack? Only if F7 is attacked, but after capture, Queen is on F7.

But King at F8 can still go to G8 or E8.

E8 is empty — so King escapes.

So not checkmate.

No.

Wait — is there any move?

Wait — what about Queen to G8?

- D7 to G8: 3 files right, 1 rank up → not diagonal → no.
- Not same rank or file.

So no.

So no checkmate.

✘ No checkmate possible

---

🔹 Board 6 (Bottom Right)

```
White pieces:
- Queen at F4
- Knight at B2
- King at D1

Black pieces:
- King at G8
```

- White to move. Queen at F4.
- Black King at G8.
- Can Queen attack G8?

Let’s check:
- F4 to G8: 1 file right, 4 ranks up → not same difference → not diagonal.
- Not same rank or file.

So no direct attack.

But wait — what if Queen moves to G8?

- F4 to G8: not diagonal → no.
- So cannot reach.

But perhaps Queen can move to H8?

- F4 to H8: 2 files right, 4 ranks up → not same → not diagonal.
- H8 is not on same rank or file.

No.

But wait — is there a better idea?

Wait — perhaps the Knight is involved?

But we are supposed to use the Queen to checkmate.

But the Queen is at F4.

King at G8.

Is there a way to deliver checkmate?

Wait — what if Queen moves to G7?

- F4 to G7: 1 file right, 3 ranks up → not diagonal → no.

Not valid.

Wait — perhaps Queen to H8?

- F4 to H8: Δfile = +2, Δrank = +4 → not equal → not diagonal.

No.

Wait — is there any square the Queen can move to that attacks G8?

- G8 is on rank 8, file G.
- Queen at F4 → can reach G8 only if it's on same rank, file, or diagonal.

Same rank? F4 → rank 4 → G8 is rank 8 → no.

Same file? F4 → file F → G8 is file G → no.

Diagonal? From F4:
- Up-right: G5, H6 → stops at H6.
- Up-left: E5, D6, C7, B8 → no G8.
- Down-left: E3, D2, C1 → no.
- Down-right: G3, H2 → no.

So no diagonal to G8.

So Queen cannot attack G8.

But wait — is the King in check already?

No.

So no checkmate possible.

Wait — this is strange. None seem to work?

But we must have missed something.

Let’s go back.

Wait — Board 5 again.

Wait — Board 5: White Queen at D7, Black King at F8, Black Queen at F7.

But notice: White Rook at A7.

Is that important?

Rook at A7 — can it attack?

But we need to use the Queen.

But maybe the Queen can move to F8? But impossible.

Wait — what if Queen moves to F7?

- D7 to F7: same rank → yes.
- F7 has black Queen — so Queen captures it.
- Now, King at F8 is attacked by the Queen on F7? Yes — same file (F), so Queen on F7 attacks F8.
- So King is in check.

Can King escape?

- King at F8 → possible moves: E8, G8, F7.

But:
- F7: now occupied by white Queen → blocked.
- E8: empty? Yes.
- G8: empty? Yes.

So King can move to E8 or G8 → escape.

So not checkmate.

But wait — is E8 under attack?

After Queen moves to F7, is E8 attacked?

- Queen at F7 → can attack E8? Yes — same rank.
- So E8 is under attack.

So if King tries to go to E8, it’s still attacked.

Similarly, G8: is G8 under attack?

- Queen at F7 → can attack G8? Yes — same rank (7)? No — G8 is rank 8.

F7 is rank 7, G8 is rank 8 → different.

So Queen at F7 cannot attack G8.

So King can move to G8 → safe.

So not checkmate.

But what if Queen moves to G8?

- D7 to G8: not same rank, file, or diagonal → no.

No.

Wait — Board 4 again.

Board 4:
- White Queen at E5
- Black King at D3
- White King at A1

Can Queen move to D3?

- E5 to D3: not diagonal, not same rank/file → no.

But what if Queen moves to D3 via diagonal?

E5 → D4 → C3 → B2 → A1 → no D3.

E5 → F4 → G3 → H2 → no.

So no.

Wait — Board 2 again.

Board 2:
- White Queen at E3
- White Rook at F1, King at G1
- Black King at A8

Can Queen attack A8?

E3 to A8: Δfile = -4, Δrank = +5 → not same → not diagonal.

No.

Wait — perhaps we missed Board 3.

Board 3:
- White Queen at H5
- White Bishop at C4
- White King at H1
- Black King at F8

Can Queen move to F8?

H5 to F8: Δfile = -2, Δrank = +3 → not same → not diagonal.

No.

But wait — what if Queen moves to F8 via diagonal?

H5 → G6 → F7 → E8 → no F8.

H5 → G4 → F3 → E2 → D1 → no.

No.

Wait — Board 1 again.

Board 1:
- Queen at D4
- King at H1
- Black King at A8

Can Queen move to A8?

D4 to A8: Δfile = -3, Δrank = +4 → not same → not diagonal.

No.

But wait — Board 5 — look again.

Wait — Queen at D7, King at F8, Queen at F7

Wait — is there a possibility that Queen moves to F8?

But not reachable.

Unless — is the King at F8 in check already?

No.

Wait — perhaps Queen moves to G8?

D7 to G8: Δfile = +3, Δrank = +1 → not diagonal.

No.

Wait — what if Queen moves to F7?

Yes — D7 to F7 is same rank → allowed.

Then Queen captures black Queen at F7.

Now, King at F8 is attacked by Queen on F7? Yes — same file.

So King is in check.

Now, can King escape?

- Moves: E8, G8, F7

But F7 is now occupied by white Queen → blocked.

E8: is it empty? Yes.

G8: empty? Yes.

So King can go to E8 or G8.

But is E8 under attack?

Queen at F7 → can attack E8? Yes — same rank.

So E8 is under attack.

G8: is it under attack?

Queen at F7 → can attack G8? Same rank? F7 is rank 7, G8 is rank 8 → no.

So G8 is not under attack.

So King can move to G8 → escape.

So not checkmate.

But what if Queen moves to E8?

- D7 to E8: diagonal → yes (D7 → E8: +1 file, +1 rank).
- E8 is empty.
- After move, Queen at E8 → attacks F8? Yes — same rank.
- King at F8 is in check.

Can King escape?

- E8: now occupied → blocked.
- G8: empty → can go.
- F7: occupied by black Queen → blocked.

So King can go to G8.

G8 is not under attack — no piece there.

So not checkmate.

Wait — is there any board where Queen delivers checkmate?

Wait — let’s look at Board 4 again.

Board 4:
- White Queen at E5
- Black King at D3
- White King at A1

Can Queen move to D3?

E5 to D3: not same rank/file/diagonal → no.

But what if Queen moves to D3 via diagonal?

E5 → D4 → C3 → B2 → A1 → no D3.

Wait — what if Queen moves to D3? Not possible.

Wait — perhaps Board 6?

Board 6:
- White Queen at F4
- Black King at G8

Can Queen move to G8? No.

But wait — what if Queen moves to G8? Not possible.

Wait — perhaps Queen moves to H8?

F4 to H8: not diagonal.

No.

Wait — perhaps Board 3?

Queen at H5, King at F8.

Can Queen move to F8? No.

Wait — Board 2?

Queen at E3, King at A8.

No.

Wait — Board 1?

Queen at D4, King at A8.

No.

Wait — perhaps we missed Board 5.

Wait — look closely at Board 5:

- White Queen at D7
- White Rook at A7
- White King at A1
- Black King at F8
- Black Queen at F7

Now, what if Queen moves to F7?

As before.

But after that, King at F8 is in check.

But can King escape?

- E8: is it under attack?

After Queen moves to F7, is E8 under attack?

- Queen at F7 → can attack E8? Yes — same rank (7)? No — E8 is rank 8.

F7 is rank 7, E8 is rank 8 → different.

So no.

So King can go to E8.

But is E8 under attack by anything else?

White Rook at A7 — can it attack E8? A7 to E8: same rank? A7 is rank 7, E8 is rank 8 → no.

Same file? A7 → file A, E8 → file E → no.

Diagonal? A7 → B8 → C9 → no.

So no.

So King can go to E8.

So not checkmate.

Wait — unless E8 is blocked.

But it's empty.

Wait — is there a piece blocking?

No.

So not checkmate.

Wait — perhaps Board 4?

Wait — let’s try Board 4 again.

White Queen at E5, King at D3.

Can Queen move to D3? No.

But what if Queen moves to D3 via diagonal?

E5 → D4 → C3 → B2 → A1 → no.

Wait — what if Queen moves to D3? Not possible.

Wait — perhaps Board 3?

Queen at H5, King at F8.

Can Queen move to F8? No.

But what if Queen moves to G8?

H5 to G8: Δfile = -1, Δrank = +3 → not diagonal.

No.

Wait — perhaps Board 1?

Queen at D4, King at A8.

No.

Wait — Board 2?

Queen at E3, King at A8.

No.

Wait — Board 6?

Queen at F4, King at G8.

Can Queen move to G8? No.

But what if Queen moves to G8? Not possible.

Wait — is there a board where the King is on the edge and Queen can deliver mate?

Wait — let’s look at Board 5 again.

Wait — Black King at F8, White Queen at D7, White Rook at A7

But notice: Rook at A7 — can it attack?

A7 is on rank 7.

F7 has black Queen.

But if Queen moves to F7, then Rook at A7 can attack F7? No — same rank, but A7 to F7 is same rank, but F7 is occupied.

But not helpful.

Wait — perhaps Queen moves to F8 is not possible, but what if Queen moves to E8?

D7 to E8: yes — diagonal.

Then Queen at E8 attacks F8.

King at F8 is in check.

Can King escape?

- E8: now occupied → blocked.
- G8: empty → can go.
- F7: occupied by black Queen → blocked.

So King can go to G8.

But is G8 under attack?

- Queen at E8 → can attack G8? E8 to G8: same rank? E8 and G8 are both rank 8 → yes!

So Queen at E8 attacks G8.

So G8 is under attack.

So King cannot go to G8.

So only possible escape: E8 and G8 — both blocked.

F7 is blocked.

So King has no legal moves.

And is it in check?

Yes — Queen at E8 attacks F8.

So checkmate!

Wait — is that true?

Let’s verify:

- Queen moves from D7 to E8.
- E8 is empty — yes.
- Move is diagonal: D7 → E8: +1 file, +1 rank → yes, valid.
- After move, Queen at E8 attacks F8 (same rank) — yes.
- King at F8 is in check.
- Possible king moves:
- E8: occupied by Queen → invalid.
- G8: same rank — Queen at E8 attacks G8? Yes — because same rank (rank 8), and E8 to G8 is two files apart — yes, queen attacks entire rank.
- F7: occupied by black Queen — invalid.

So all three escape squares are blocked.

So yes — checkmate!

So Board 5 is the correct one.

✔ Board 5 — Queen moves to E8 — checkmate.

---

✔ Final Answer: Board 5 (Bottom Left)

The Queen at D7 moves to E8, delivering checkmate.

- It attacks the King at F8 along the 8th rank.
- All escape squares (E8, G8, F7) are blocked.
- E8 is occupied by the Queen.
- G8 is under attack by the Queen (same rank).
- F7 is occupied by the black Queen.

Thus, checkmate in one move.

---

🟩 Solution:

Yes, you can checkmate in one move on Board 5.
Move the Queen from D7 to E8.

This is the only board where checkmate is possible with the Queen in one move.