King and Queen vs King
The most fundamental checkmate in chess, and the first endgame technique every player must master.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: I cannot tell you how many games I have watched where a student promotes a pawn, gets a queen, and then cannot deliver checkmate. It is the most frustrating sight in chess education. King and queen versus king is the very first endgame you must learn. If you cannot win this position, nothing else matters because you will never convert your advantage.
The Essential Technique
King and queen versus a lone king is a forced win from every possible position. The checkmate can always be delivered in at most ten moves with correct play. The technique is straightforward and relies on three steps: restrict the enemy king, push it to the edge of the board, and bring your own king close to assist in the final checkmate.
The queen alone cannot deliver checkmate without the help of the friendly king. This is a crucial point that beginners often overlook. The queen can restrict the enemy king and drive it to the edge, but the final mating pattern requires the king to cover escape squares.
The most common mistake is giving unnecessary checks. Random checks allow the enemy king to escape toward the center. Instead, use the queen to cut off ranks and files, gradually shrinking the box the enemy king can move within.
Step 1: Restrict the King
In this position, the white queen cuts off the black king by controlling the fifth rank. The black king cannot cross to the upper half of the board. White's plan is simple: bring the king closer and further restrict the enemy king until checkmate is possible.
Notice how the queen acts as a barrier. By staying on the fifth rank, it creates an invisible wall that the black king cannot cross. This is the fundamental technique: use the queen to build a cage and then shrink it.
The queen on d5 restricts the black king to the lower ranks.
Step 2: Drive to the Edge
Once the king is restricted, alternate between queen moves that tighten the cage and king moves that bring your monarch closer. The enemy king will be forced to the edge of the board with each restriction.
A common pattern is to use the queen to take away one rank at a time. If the black king is on the third rank, place the queen on the second rank to push it to the first. Then bring your king into the mating zone.
Be careful of stalemate. When the enemy king is on the edge with no moves, you must ensure your queen does not take away every square. Leave exactly one square for the king to move to while you position your pieces for checkmate.
Step 3: Deliver Checkmate
Here is a typical mating position. The white king on c6 supports the queen, which delivers checkmate on a8. The black king has no escape: a8 and b8 are controlled by the queen, b7 is covered by the white king, and all other squares are off the edge of the board.
This is the pattern you are aiming for. The king and queen work together to create a mating net on the edge of the board. Practice reaching this type of position from random starting setups.
Checkmate. The king on c6 supports the queen, and the black king has no escape.
Common Questions
How do I avoid stalemate?
Always check that the enemy king has at least one legal move until you are ready to deliver checkmate. The most common stalemate occurs when the queen gets too close to the enemy king, taking away all its squares. Keep a respectful distance until your own king is in position.
What is the maximum number of moves needed?
With perfect play, king and queen versus king can be won in at most ten moves from any starting position. In practice, beginners should aim to checkmate within twenty moves, which provides a comfortable margin.
Can the lone king ever escape?
No. The position is a theoretical win for the side with the queen in every case. The only way to fail is through stalemate, which is the attacker's mistake, not the defender's escape.
Professor Archer says: Here is the method in one sentence: use your queen to restrict the enemy king, drive it to the edge of the board, then bring your own king close to help deliver checkmate. That is it. No tricks, no complex calculation. Just a systematic process of restricting, driving, and finishing. Practice it until you can do it in your sleep.
Quick Quiz
What is the most common mistake when checkmating with king and queen vs king?
- Giving random checks instead of systematically restricting the king (Correct) - Correct. Random checks allow the enemy king to dance around the board. The proper technique is to use the queen as a barrier to restrict the king, then bring your own king close for the final checkmate.
- Moving the queen too far from the king - The queen does need to operate at a distance sometimes to restrict the enemy king. The real mistake is giving aimless checks rather than building a systematic cage.
- Promoting to a queen instead of a rook - Promoting to a queen is almost always correct. While a rook can also deliver checkmate, having a queen gives you the fastest and most flexible winning technique.
- Keeping the king in the center of the board - Actually, keeping your king centralized early is fine. The mistake would be not bringing it to the edge to help with the final checkmate. But the most common error overall is giving random checks.