checkmate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "checkmate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in a game of chess in which a player's king has just been put in a position where it cannot escape being captured. For example, "White moved their knight in a way that put the black king in checkmate, thus securing the victory for White."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Checkmate to neo-liberalism," proclaims a poster in the offices of Inifat, the national institute for tropical agriculture.

The Guardian

Related: Kevin Pietersen and England: checkmate | Andy Bull.

The Guardian - Sport

In retaliation Ms Tymoshenko tried to checkmate Mr Yushchenko by teaming up with Mr Yanukovich instead.

The Economist

But it could be a long and complex one, since the politician with the means to checkmate Mr Berlusconi is the very one with least to gain from doing so.

The Economist

But as the pieces dwindle, it becomes apparent that the very goal to checkmate the king is impossible.Is America's strategy of dealing with North Korea's nuclear weapons programme dissimilar?

The Economist

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | FridayFridayRelated items Zimbabwe: Blackening the economySep 13th 2007 Zimbabwe: Checkmate for the archbishopSep 13th 2007 Zimbabwe: Ripping the heart out of the heartlandsAug 23rd 2007 Robert Mugabe: The man behind the fistMar 29th 2007I AM back at the airport, waiting for my plane home.

The Economist

Others were school-desks.A chessboard king eluding checkmate, Colonel Qaddafi has begun retracing the finale of Saddam Hussein, the first of the Arab world's tyrants to fall to regime change.

The Economist

Reforming the oil industry It's better to be out to sea Reprints Related items Zimbabwe: Checkmate for the archbishopSep 13th 2007Until now, the MDC had strongly opposed the amendments on the ground that they would entrench the ruling party ahead of the election.

The Economist

But it could recognize illegal moves and always delivered eventual checkmate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shannon appreciated that a computer conducting an entire game would have to make decisions using incomplete information because it could not examine all the positions leading to checkmate, which might lie 40 or 50 moves ahead.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Carlsen clinched his victory with style on the last move of game 4 by sacrificing his queen to set up checkmate on the next move.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "checkmate" when you want to describe a final, inescapable defeat, whether in chess or in a metaphorical sense. It conveys a sense of completion and finality.

Common error

Avoid using "checkmate" to describe temporary setbacks or challenges that can be overcome. "Checkmate" implies an irreversible loss, so ensure the situation warrants such a strong term.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "checkmate" is a noun, referring to the winning position in chess or a situation of inescapable defeat. It can also function as an interjection when declaring victory. Ludwig provides various examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "checkmate" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a noun or interjection, signifying the end of a chess game or, metaphorically, an irreversible defeat. As Ludwig highlights, it's widely used in various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias, indicating its common acceptance and understanding. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to reserve "checkmate" for situations that truly represent a final, inescapable loss. Remember to consider context and desired formality when choosing alternatives like ""decisive blow"" or "utter defeat". Using "checkmate" accurately ensures your writing is both precise and impactful. Ludwig's AI confirms the word's correctness and usability, offering further assurance in its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

check and mate

An extended way to say checkmate emphasizing the process to it.

game over

A common expression indicating the end of the contest.

decisive victory

Highlights the conclusiveness of the win.

decisive blow

Focuses on the final act that ensures victory.

coup de grâce

The final blow, literally "stroke of grace".

winning move

Emphasizes the action that leads to success.

utter defeat

Highlights the completeness of the loss.

terminal position

Focuses on the state where no move can save the game.

inescapable trap

Implies a situation from which there is no escape.

stalemate

Refers to a drawn position, a situation that's neither checkmate nor loss.

FAQs

How is "checkmate" used in a sentence?

In chess, "checkmate" signifies the end of the game, where the king is under immediate attack and there's no way to remove it from attack. Metaphorically, it represents an inescapable defeat, as in, "The negotiator delivered a "decisive blow", effectively placing the opposition in checkmate".

What's a more formal alternative to "checkmate"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "utter defeat" or "inescapable trap" can provide a more formal tone while still conveying the sense of finality.

Can "checkmate" be used in contexts other than chess?

Yes, "checkmate" is commonly used metaphorically to describe situations where someone is in an inescapable trap or has suffered a utter defeat, even outside of a literal chess game.

Is "checkmate" the same as "stalemate"?

No, while both terms are related to chess, they have different meanings. "Checkmate" means the game is over due to one player's king being in an inescapable trap, while "stalemate" is a draw where neither player can make a legal move.