Epaulette Mate

A king is trapped between two of its own pieces — usually rooks — that block its sideways escape squares, so a queen delivering a frontal attack is fatal.

A checkmate where the king is trapped between two of its own pieces, usually rooks, which sit on either side of it like ornamental shoulder pads (epaulettes). Because the friendly pieces block the sideways escape squares, a direct frontal assault by a queen is fatal.

Starting position

For experienced players

The visual similarity to the ornamental shoulder pieces worn on military uniforms gives this checkmate its name. It often appears in endgames where a king is trying to hide behind its defending rooks.