The Opera mate is checkmate by a rook on the back rank, next to the king, defended by a bishop from a distance. The bishop also covers an escape square.
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The rook can stand next to the king because a bishop far away defends it. The king's own pieces usually block the remaining squares.
How to do it
- 1Aim a bishop at the mating square, such as from g5 against a king on e8.
- 2Check that the bishop also covers the king's escape square.
- 3Bring the rook to the back rank.
For your level
A rook next to the king can be mate. A bishop far away keeps it safe.
Check you have it
Question 1 of 3
White to play. There is a checkmate in one move — find it.
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Play your move on the board.
Question 2 of 3
Play the moves through. What has happened to the king?
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Question 3 of 3
After the last move, how many legal moves does the mated side have?
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Common mistakes
- Putting the rook on the back rank before the bishop defends it.
- Missing an escape square the bishop does not cover.
Questions
- Why is it called the Opera mate?
- Paul Morphy played it in 1858 against the Duke of Brunswick and Count Isouard, in their box at the Paris Opera during a performance.