Endgames
King and Queen vs King
Also known as: KQK, Queen mate, مات الوزير
Type: King + Queen vs lone KingResult: WinDifficultyLearn 1/5 · Master 2/5 · Calculation 1/5
TechniqueResult: WinActive line
Final edge mate
The queen, supported by the king, delivers mate on the edge; memorize this goal position.
Attacker
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Lesson steps
Technique
Common mistake
Core idea
The easiest major-piece mate. Drive the lone king to an edge with the queen, keeping the queen a knight's-move away so it shrinks the box without checking — then bring your own king up and deliver mate. The one real danger is stalemate: never take the king's last square without giving check.
If you're attacking
Place the queen a knight's-move from the enemy king to form the smallest box, mirror its moves to shrink it, drive it to an edge (don't chase with checks), then bring your king up to mate.
Plans
- Queen a knight's-move away — shrink the box
- Drive the king to an edge, not the center
- Bring your king up to support the mate
- Before every queen move, leave the king one legal square
Avoid
- Stalemate — taking the king's last square without check
- Endless checks that drive the king back to the center
If you're defending
Stay central as long as possible; when forced, head for a corner and hope for a stalemate or the 50-move rule.
Plans
- Keep the king central
- If forced, run toward a corner
- Look for stalemate setups
Avoid
- Walking to the edge voluntarily