Step 1

To find a mate in two, look at every check first, then at moves that take away the king's last escape squares. In these real games, the legend's first move leaves the opponent no defence.

Step 2

Gukesh D vs A Sarana, Titled Tuesday (online) 2020. Gukesh from Chennai became the youngest undisputed World Champion in 2024, at just 18. Gukesh D plays White here. Look at the queen on g4: what can it do?

Step 3

Moves: 60.Qxg1+

Gukesh D starts with the queen from g4 to g1. It captures the queen on g1. It gives check.

From the game Gukesh D – A Sarana, Titled Tuesday (online) 2020.

Step 4

Moves: 60.Qxg1+ Kh3 61.Qg3#

The moves: 60.Qxg1+ Kh3 61.Qg3#. And it ends in checkmate. Brilliant! Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.

From the game Gukesh D – A Sarana, Titled Tuesday (online) 2020.

Step 5

D Majer vs Divya Deshmukh, Titled Tuesday (online) 2021. Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur won the FIDE Women's World Cup in 2025, at 19, and became a grandmaster. Divya Deshmukh plays Black here. Look at the king on c6: what can it do?

Step 6

Moves: 77...Kc5

Divya Deshmukh starts with the king from c6 to c5.

Step 7

Moves: 77...Kc5 78.Ka5 Qa2#

The moves: 77...Kc5 78.Ka5 Qa2#. And it ends in checkmate. Brilliant! Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.

From the game D Majer – Divya Deshmukh, Titled Tuesday (online) 2021.

Step 8

Arjun Erigaisi vs Praggnanandhaa R, Speed Chess Super Swiss 2020. Praggnanandhaa from Chennai became a grandmaster at 12 and reached the World Cup final in 2023. Praggnanandhaa R plays Black here. Look at the king on g4: what can it do?

Step 9

Moves: 82...Kf5

Praggnanandhaa R starts with the king from g4 to f5.

Step 10

Moves: 82...Kf5 83.Kh5 Qh7#

The moves: 82...Kf5 83.Kh5 Qh7#. And it ends in checkmate. Brilliant! Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.

From the game Arjun Erigaisi – Praggnanandhaa R, Speed Chess Super Swiss 2020.

Step 11

Brandon Jacobson vs Vaishali R, Chess.com Bullet Open 1 2020. Vaishali, Praggnanandhaa's sister, became India's third woman grandmaster. Vaishali R plays Black here. Look at the king on d5: what can it do?

Step 12

Moves: 60...Kc6

Vaishali R starts with the king from d5 to c6.

Step 13

Moves: 60...Kc6 61.Ka8 Qb7#

The moves: 60...Kc6 61.Ka8 Qb7#. And it ends in checkmate. Brilliant! Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.

From the game Brandon Jacobson – Vaishali R, Chess.com Bullet Open 1 2020.

Step 14

Sabina-Francesca Foisor vs Harika Dronavalli, 1. FIDE World Online Women Blitz 2015, Rome. Harika Dronavalli won bronze at the Women's World Championship three times. Harika Dronavalli plays Black here. Look at the pawn on g3: what can it do?

Step 15

Moves: 68...g2+

Harika Dronavalli starts with the pawn from g3 to g2. It gives check.

Step 16

Moves: 68...g2+ 69.Kg1 Bb6#

The moves: 68...g2+ 69.Kg1 Bb6#. And it ends in checkmate. Brilliant! Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.

From the game Sabina-Francesca Foisor – Harika Dronavalli, 1. FIDE World Online Women Blitz 2015, Rome .

Step 17

Vidit Gujrathi vs Ruslan Kavyev, Titled Tuesday (online) 2020. Vidit Gujrathi from Nashik helped India win the Chess Olympiad gold in 2024. Vidit Gujrathi plays White here. Look at the pawn on g7: what can it do?

Step 18

Moves: 73.g8=Q+

Vidit Gujrathi starts with the pawn from g7 to g8. It gives check.

From the game Vidit Gujrathi – Ruslan Kavyev, Titled Tuesday (online) 2020.

Step 19

Moves: 73.g8=Q+ Kh6 74.Qg6#

The moves: 73.g8=Q+ Kh6 74.Qg6#. And it ends in checkmate. Brilliant! Now try it yourself: press Practice and play this position against the engine.

From the game Vidit Gujrathi – Ruslan Kavyev, Titled Tuesday (online) 2020.