Mastering Pillsbury's Mate:
 A Devastating Chess Checkmate Pattern You Need to Know


Unlock the power of Pillsbury's Mate, a brilliant checkmate pattern that can catch even the most experienced players off guard.

Named after the legendary chess master Harry Nelson Pillsbury, this tactical maneuver is a variation of Morphy's Mate, where a rook delivers checkmate while a bishop cuts off the king's escape route to the corner square.

By mastering Pillsbury's Mate, you'll enhance your attacking game and surprise your opponents with clever piece coordination and tactical finesse. Don't forget to check out our detailed guide on Morphy's Mate to explore the roots of this fascinating checkmate pattern and elevate your chess strategy!

Pillsbury Mate Chess Articles:
 Master the Essentials


  • Pillsbury Mate - ChessFox Article w/ Examples 
    Discover the fundamentals of Pillsbury's Mate with this comprehensive ChessFox article. It offers a clear explanation and visual examples to help you understand the Pillsbury Mate pattern and how to apply it in your games.

  • Pillsbury’s Mate Article - Chessskills Blog
    Dive into the historical context of Pillsbury's Mate with this insightful Chessskills Blog post. The article explores contradictory facts in published media regarding some of Pillsbury's famous games, providing a unique perspective on this checkmate pattern.

  • Mating Patterns #4: Pillsbury's Mate
     Explore how Pillsbury's Mate unfolds in real chess games through this detailed Chess.com article. With two illustrative game examples, you'll witness the strategic setup and execution of this powerful checkmate pattern.

    Animated GIF demonstrating a Pillsbury's Mate checkmate delivered by Harry Nelson Pillsbury (White) against Frederick Lee (Black) in a game from the 1899 London International Chess Congress. The game concludes in 21 moves.
    See Pillsbury's Mate come to life!
    This GIF animation recreates a stunning checkmate delivered by Harry Nelson Pillsbury in 1899. Witness his tactical brilliance unfold in just 21 moves!

Pillsbury Mate LiChess Studies: 
 Interactive Tools for Mastery

These interactive tools from Lichess.org allow you to explore Pillsbury's Mate in a practical and engaging way:


  • Checkmate Patterns II - 2 Examples - (LiChess Mate Practice Area) -  Jump right into the LiChess Mate Practice Area and solve puzzles featuring Pillsbury's Mate. This interactive tool provides a quick and engaging way to test your basic understanding of this classic checkmate pattern .

  • Pillsbury Mate - 4 Chapter Interactive Study - Delve deeper with a structured study. This 4-chapter lesson includes interactive puzzles to solidify your knowledge of Pillsbury's Mate variations

  • Art of Checkmate: Pillbury's Mate - 8 Chapter Study This comprehensive 8-chapter study provides a thorough exploration of Pillsbury's Mate. Drawing examples from a chess book, it covers a wide range of scenarios and variations, offering a richer learning experience compared to simpler studies.

New to LiChess studies?

These user-friendly tools from LiChess.org guide you through chess concepts move-by-move, allowing you to experiment, test your understanding, and gain a more profound grasp of Pillsbury's Mate. Whether you're solving quick puzzles or engaging in detailed studies, these resources are perfect for both beginners and advanced players looking to enhance their mastery of this checkmate pattern .

Pillsbury Mate Video Lessons

These video lessons offer clear explanations and demonstrations of Pillsbury's Mate:


Checkmates - Pillsbury's Mate - 5 min - ChessWizard - In just 5 minutes, ChessWizard demonstrates how to execute Pillsbury's Mate through various examples. The video highlights essential tactics like discovered checks and the windmill tactic, crucial for setting up this powerful checkmate pattern.

Chess Tricks: Pillsbury's Mate Pattern - 4 min - Powerful Pawns - This video emphasizes the practical value of Pillsbury's Mate. It showcases how this useful mating pattern can be a game-winner and highlights its prevalence in real chess games, making it an essential skill for any player.

Pillsbury's Mate (Checkmate Pattern You Must Know !) - 9 Min - Chess Zen -  Video Below -  a deeper dive into Pillsbury's Mate, often referred to as the "twin sister" of Morphy's Mate, in this 9-minute video. This comprehensive lesson covers variations and strategic considerations, providing a richer understanding of the Pillsbury Mate pattern.