For experienced players
Anastasia’s Mate is the natural finish of many h-file attacks where the knight has come via g5 and the queen or rook lifts to the h-file, often initiated by a stunning queen sacrifice on h7.
See also:Arabian Mate·Sacrifice
Checkmate
Anastasia's Mate
A knight and a heavy piece trap the enemy king on the edge of the board, often after an h-file attack.
Starting position
A knight and a rook (or queen) trap the enemy king on the edge of the board. The knight covers the escape squares immediately next to the king's defending pawn, while the heavy piece delivers mate along the open file.
Starting position
Positions and move sequences for checkmates/endgames in Anastasia's Mate
Canonical
Starting Position (FEN): 1r3r1k/4N1pp/8/8/8/8/7R/3Q2RK w - - 0 1
Move Sequence: Rxh7+ Kxh7 Qh5#
Explanation: A knight and a rook (or queen) trap the enemy king on the edge of the board. The knight covers the escape squares immediately next to the king's defending pawn, while the heavy piece delivers mate along the open file.
Already open file
Starting Position (FEN): 7k/4N1p1/8/8/8/2R5/8/7K w - - 0 1
Move Sequence: Rh3#
Explanation: If the file is already open, the mate can be delivered immediately without needing a sacrifice.
On the Queen-side
Starting Position (FEN): k7/1p1N4/8/8/8/8/8/1R5K w - - 0 1
Move Sequence: Ra1#
Explanation: The exact same geometry applies on the queenside, with the knight on d7 trapping the king against the b7 pawn.