Mate #4
 
     
 
Boden's Mate
 
     
 
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White
Black
1.
Qxc6+ !! bxc6
2.
Ba6 mt  

     This mate is usually with two Bishops working together to make a criss-cross. The black-square Bishop controls a very important diagonal. It keeps Black's King from moving off the white squares. If only that pesky Pawn on b7 were gone, White could checkmate with Ba6. This is where the Queen comes in. White can sacrifice the Queen to clear out the diagonal a6-c8, and then the Bishop can deliver mate.
     The number of times during a game that Boden's mate is possible might surprise you. Last week, I saw a Boden's mate at the chess club while I was looking at a game. The players didn't see it, so the game dragged on. But it was there, waiting to be found. Don't you miss it next time it comes up in your games!
     Here is what the final position looks like:

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