Checkmate patterns
Kill box mate
A rook beside the king, backed by a queen, traps it in a 3×3 box.
What is the kill box mate?
The kill box mate features a rook right next to the enemy king, supported by a queen that also seals off the king's escape squares. Together they trap the king inside a three-by-three "box" with no way out.
Why the kill box mate matters
Queen-and-rook attacks are everywhere once files open toward the king, and the kill box is the cleanest finish for that duo. Knowing the picture means you stop shuffling heavy pieces and start landing the mate.
How to use it to win
Get a rook adjacent to the king for the check, and place the queen so it both defends the rook and covers the squares the king would run to. If the nine-square box around the king is locked, it is mate.
Try an example puzzle
A real kill box mate puzzle from the app. Black to move — find the idea, then reveal the line.
2 
5 
Show solution
1. ... Rh1#
Drill the kill box mate on thousands of real puzzles, matched to your rating.