Chess is a game of strategic thinking to overrun or overturn the opponent. Thus many find it challenging to play. However, there is a move that lets one understand how to win chess in 4 moves.

The name of the checkmate move is “Scholar’s Mate “. It’s a game of precision checkmate. Through centuries this game amazed the audience. Yes, this move is best among beginners, to show off their skills to others. To learn the move please follow the article to the end.

The best part of this squareboard game is the element of surprise. This catches praise and applause, both from the audience and the opponent. It is a combination of selected moves to pin or stay the upper hand on the opponent. Let’s begin.

1. Origin of Chess Game

Before we move forward, it will be good to know about the background of this square game. Many considered chess to be a European invention. However, one wouldn’t believe, chess derived or originated from an Indian (Bharat) game called Chaturanga.

Later it was adapted and modified by Europeans according to religious beliefs. In the 19th century first world chess championship was played. It is believed to be early between 599-600 A.D. Though many scholars believe it could be even ancient according to Chess.com. 

1.1. What is a European Chessboard?

Unlike, the Indian (Bharatiya) variant of the original gameboard, which is known as “Chaturanga”. A total of 4 players at one square panel and using dice to give a fair and equal opportunity for each player, honour to make the first move. 

Unlike, the “European Chessboard system” where always, the white chess player always has the pleasure of making the pre-move. 

The European square panel consists of 2 players, equally divided chess pieces, 8 pawns, a king, a queen, 2 bishops, 2 knights, and 2 rooks, each for white and black players. 

The squareboard is in the shape of an 8×8 square in breadth and length, on the length side it’s ranked in alphabetic order from A to H and the breath is ranked in numerical order from 1 to 8.

2. Origin of Scholar’s Mate

Well, nobody knows precisely of the origin of the Scholar’s Mate or a.k.a Fool’s Mate. But the earliest record can be found in a 17th-century book “The Famous Game of Chess Play”. 

The book was written by “Author Saul & John Barbier “. Which mentions the 4-move checkmate as the “ fool’s mate ‘. Even in modern times, there are many grandmasters, who in actual life use the scholar’s mate.

For instance in 2005, when world champion GM Nakamura fought against GM Sasikiran. And another was in 2017 when world champion GM Carlson played against GM Bellahcene. But they even find it hard to find out how to win chess in 4 moves. 

2.1. What is The Scholar’s Mate?

It consists of moves of a white; pawn to e4, bishop to  c4, Queen to h5 or f3, then #f7 scholars mate, white will win chess in 4 moves. The Scholar’s Mate consists of 4 moves to checkmate the black king by white.

To win chess in 4 moves, whites need to attack strategically on the weakest chess piece on the board. The black pawn f7 and the white pawn d2 are considered the most vulnerable spot in the entire chess board. 

To attack it needs only 4 moves to do scholar’s mate. The move is much more suitable for the position of white because the white chess player already at the upper hand in playing the initial move.

3. Steps on How to Win Chess in 4 Moves

How to win chess in 4 moves is impossible at the GM level because no player is a fool. Even a rookie can counter-checkmate moves. So for checkmating an individual in 4 moves either has to be a beginner or someone who has no interest in chess. Let us Begin, 

3.1. If You Are a White Player Or Black Player (vice-versa)  

Step 1. If white or black move King’s pawn to e4 or e5.

Step 2. If white or black move Bishop to c4 or c5

Step 3. Here the situation will be favourable to white players because white players have the upper hand on first to play.

• If white move Queen to h5 then to f3. (Depending on the situation black encounters). 

Or

• If black moves Queen to f6 (white already posing threats and countering the possibilities of checkmate)

Step 4. If white then place Queen on h5 and after the black’s reaction, move to f3. If the white queen is already on the f3 then just simply checkmate the opponent’s king on #f7 and a quick victory for white. and finally, find out how to win chess in 4 moves.

On the other hand, “black” needs to prepare for a counter-offensive if the opponent chess player is not an amateur. Then simply put the black Queen on f6 and then an early checkmate on #f2, finally a four-move checkmate. And one will just find out how to win chess in 4 moves.

Photo by schach100 from Pexels

3.1.1. Possible Encounter by Black Player 

For beginning chess players, they have to face these possible scenarios. Thus, one has to change tactics and strategy according to the given circumstances. Let’s understand the assumption on how to win chess in 4 moves.

Scenario 1. When the white player moves the pawn e2 to e4. Possibly the “black” will respond to it by moving the same move e5. Then “White” will continue to move the bishop to c4. 

Thus, “black” will respond with a unique move, pawn to c5. Then “white” will continue to move Queen to h5. And “black” will defend with a pawn to g6. 

Next “white” will replace the queen by moving to f3. Now interestingly the “black” could counter it by moving Queen to g5, which is a very good move. which again makes it difficult to find out how to win chess in 4 moves.

Interestingly, at first, “white” will seek this as an opportunity and try to accomplish the checkmate on #f7. Now here is the catch white leaving the pawn g2 undefended. 

The “black” king will move from e7 to d7 and the “black” queen will thrash the pawn g2 and then rook h1. And again it will be difficult to find out how to win chess in 4 moves.

Scenario 2. This scenario might be challenged by a 300-400 elo player, where the black player will counter the very first Pe2 to e4 move, by an attacking move of the black knight (K) to f6.

Which will demolish the whole Scholar’s Mate. Ironically the opponent will be not a mate of a fool. And the attacker now needs to find out how to win chess in 4 moves.

Scenario 3. Now even the “White player” can establish the pawn e2 to e4 and “black” responds with pawn e5. Then “black” played with a unique move queen to e7.

Then it will be just more than four moves. Well, these are the most possible encounters the white or black player has to face. Black defences or white defenses the encounters will be similar. 

The possible winning situations will be if “black” and “white” respond like a fool, for instance, for white pawn e4, black responds with pawn e5, and then white moves bishop to c4. 

The black responds with a Kc6 move and the white moves queen to h5. But “black” responds with a Kf6 to pose a direct strike on the white queen. However, here the “white” got the perfect chance to accomplish checkmate #f7. And find out how to win chess in 4 moves.

3.1.2. Possible Encounter by White Player

Especially for black players, who have to find out how to win chess in 4 moves, is rather difficult because white players always have the upper hand in choosing the first move. Thus a black player may have to face many engaging counter-offensives. Let us understand the possibilities of how to win chess in 4 moves.

Scenario 1. As usual white; will play the initial move and it could be the move of pawn e4 or e3. Maybe the white player also heading for a possible Scholar’s mate. In response black; played pawn e5. 

Then in response, white; played with a unique move pawn g3. Thus, black; played bishop c5 and white responded with another unique move pawn h3. 

In continuation black; responds with the move the Queen f6 and white; responds with knight a3. And then black; can give a scholar’s mate on #f2, but the white king will move to d2.

Scenario 2. 

White; move pawn to e4. Looking for a possible scholar’s mate. 

Black responds; move a pawn to e5. Also looking for possibilities on how to win chess in 4 moves. 

White responds; with a counter-offensive move knight to f3 attacking the pawn e5. 

Black responds; without defending the pawn e5, but rather attacking by the bishop c5. 

White responds; capturing pawn e5 by knight e5. And if black continues the setup then.

Black continues; by placing the queen f6, but still it was responds by white; calling back the knight from e5 to f3. which lets the black again to find out how to win chess in 4 moves.

Scenario 3. If white played Knight f3, already defending the position then “black” has no chance and lose the position on how to win chess in 4 moves and be demolished. 

Scenario 4. White started with a unique move pawn d4, thus, black in response placed pawn e5 or e3. And thus black has no chance and surely doesn’t know how to win chess in 4 moves.

4. Conclusion

Winning chess in four moves is good against an amateur or one who just started to play chess. The move is so obvious that the black defends and creates opportunities for the white queen and bishop.

This is a combined attack on the weakest spot of the black king’s pawn. But when “black” develops a surprise defense, the black chess player gains an advantage.

But black pieces are not controlling the center, thus, developing a crucial point where “black” gets lost from the “white” chess player. Playing chess at a higher level needs more than just four moves, and requires different openings and long-term strategy.

The decisive blow to both your queen and early-game checkmates is something that needs an aggressive attack with control and practice. Well, as far as it goes how to win chess in 4 moves against experienced players depends on the element of surprise.

Hey! If this game catches your interest then recommend checking another interesting board game called Scrabbler World Guide.

Last Updated on October 14, 2023 by Anuja.V