Hook mate
A rook, knight, and pawn combine in a hook shape to trap the king in the corner.
Hook mate uses a rook, knight, and pawn arranged in an L-shape (the hook) to deliver checkmate in the corner. The pawn blocks one escape square, the knight covers another and protects the rook, and the rook gives check. The three pieces interlock like a fishhook around the trapped king.
This mate is most common in practical games when a kingside attack leaves an advanced pawn on the g-file and the rook swings to the h-file. Unlike back-rank mate, the hook mate often occurs with pieces still on the board creating the cage structure. Recognising the hook shape tells you when to sacrifice material to reach it.
Rh7# - hook mate with rook, knight, and pawn
White's rook on h7 delivers checkmate. The black king on h8 cannot escape: g8 is covered by the knight on f6 (Nf6 attacks g8 and h7), h7 is the rook's square (protected by the knight on f6), and g7 is blocked by the black pawn. The rook, knight, and pawn form the classic hook shape around the cornered king.
Rh1-h8+ - swinging the rook to deliver hook mate
White swings the rook to h1, then plays Rh8+. The black king on h8 is forced to g8. Now Nh8! (or Rh7 with pawn helping) sets up the hook. The knight on g6 and Black's own pawns on g7 and h7 are already in place - all White needs is to bring the rook to the h-file to complete the hook mate pattern.
Key chess terms
Related mating patterns
- Anastasia's mateA rook and knight trap the king against the edge of the board when a pawn blocks the escape squares.
- Arabian mateA rook and knight work together to trap the king in a corner, with the knight guarding the rook and covering the escape square.
- Back-rank mateA rook or queen delivers checkmate on the opponent's back rank because the king is trapped behind its own pawns.
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