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How to Play Scholar’s Mate (Or Defend Against It) Download Article Master this chess opening strategy as the white or black player Co-authored by Vitaly Neimer and Hunter Rising
Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked
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Scholar’s Mate Moves as White
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Defending as Black
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This article was co-authored by Vitaly Neimer and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Vitaly Neimer is an International Chess Master and Certified Professional Chess Coach with over 15 years of training experience. He has been a part of the United States' Webster SPICE national chess champion team and is also a two-time Israeli national chess champion. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 285,617 times.
Scholar's Mate (also known as “Mate-in-Four”) is a famous chess play that lets you win the game as white in just 4 moves. To pull off this play, open by moving a pawn to e4 and then a bishop to c5. After that, move your queen to h8 and then use it to capture the pawn on f7 to checkmate. While the play depends on black responding with specific moves, an inexperienced player may easily fall for the trap. Keep reading, and we’ll walk your through how to use Scholar’s Mate if you’re playing white, and how you can thwart the attack as the black player.
Things You Should Know
To perform Scholar’s Mate, move a pawn from e2 to e4. No matter what your opponent does for their opening move, position your king’s bishop on c4.
Advance your queen to h5 if black played their knight to c6. If black responds with their knight to f6, capture the pawn on f7 with your queen to checkmate their king.
In full chess notation, Scholar’s Mate is: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Qh6 Nf6 4. Qxe7 #
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Performing the Scholar’s Mate as White
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1 Advance your king's pawn forward two squares from e2 to e4. For your opening move as white, take the pawn in front of your king and push it 2 squares forward to e4. This play moves your pawn toward the center of the board, which is important to control in a chess game, and it also frees up your king’s bishop and queen.[1]XResearch source
It doesn’t matter what piece black moves for their first turn, but the mainline theory or strategy is for black to move their pawn to e5.
Since moving a pawn to e4 is a common opening move, your opponent may not suspect that you’re trying a Scholar’s mate and play into your trap.
You may only do Scholar’s Mate if you’re playing white. If you’re playing as black, then you may only defend against it.
2 Move your king’s bishop 3 squares diagonally from f1 to c4. Take the bishop that’s next to your king and slide it to c4. In this position, your bishop will threaten your opponent’s pawn on f7 and set up one side of your attack.[2]XResearch source
Black will usually respond by moving the knight at b8 to c6 to project the pawn at e5, or they may push their king’s bishop forward to c5 to put pressure on your pawn at f2.
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3 Position your queen on h5 to put pressure on your opponent’s pieces. Take your queen and move it diagonally toward the side of the board until it’s on h5. Your queen will threaten the black pawn at F7 just like your bishop on the other side of the board.[3]XResearch source
If your opponent isn’t familiar with Scholar's Mate, they will most likely move their knight to f7 to attack your queen, which will set you up for the final move of the play. However, experienced players may know what's coming and make a more defensive play.
You may swap move your queen on your second move and your bishop on the third move instead, but it may make it more apparent that you’re trying to do Scholar’s Mate.
4 Capture the pawn at f7 with your queen to checkmate black. If your opponent has fallen for Scholar’s Mate, just move your queen to f7 and take the pawn there to win your chess game. Your queen now threatens the black king, and they won’t be able to make any moves that put them out of danger. They also won’t be able to take your queen because it’s protected by your bishop on c6.[4]XResearch source
If you’re notating chess, Scholar’s Mate would read:1. e4 e52. Bc4 Nc63. Qh6 Nf64. Qxe7 #
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Defending Against Scholar’s Mate as Black
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1 Open with moving a pawn to e6 to stop the Scholar’s Mate early on. If you notice the white player opens the game by moving their pawn to e4, try to avoid the Scholar’s Mate board setup by only moving your king’s pawn 1 space forward. This blocks the path for the white bishop and helps you win the chess opening.[5]XResearch source
Continue setting up the “French Defense” by moving the queen’s pawn to d5 on your next turn and a pawn to c5 the following turn. This builds a defensive wall and vie for control of the center of the board.
2 Push your knight to f6 early to prevent the attack from white’s queen. Rather than waiting until the third turn to move your knight, take the initiative and move it a turn early to f6. That way, you’re already attack the white pawn on e4 and you’re blocking the h5 square so your opponent is less likely to move their queen there.[6]XResearch source
White may respond by moving a pawn to d3 to defend the e4 square. You can respond by moving a pawn to c6 followed by a pawn to d5 to protect the center of the board and put pressure on your opponent’s pieces.
3 Move the pawn from g7 to g6 to put pressure on your opponent’s queen. If white moves their queen to h8, defend with your pawn rather than trying to bring your knight out. Putting a pawn on g6 directly attacks the white queen and prevents them from reaching the f7 square, and they won’t want to sacrifice their strong piece just to capture one of your pawns.[7]XResearch source
Most likely, white will move their queen back to f3 so it’s not in danger but still attacking the pawn on f7. Now respond by moving your knight to f6 as an extra line of defense.
4 Try advancing your queen to e7 or f6 as a last line of defense. After white moves their queen, retaliate by bringing your queen out diagonally. Stopping on e7 protects the pawns at e4 and f7, but it prevents your bishop from moving out on the board. Going to f6 with your queen instead still defends the same pieces but may leave your queen more vulnerable.[8]XResearch source
Moving your queen early may put it at risk of getting captured, so it’s usually best to try a different opening defense if you’re able to.
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Question Does the Scholar's Mate work? Vitaly Neimer International Chess Master Vitaly Neimer is an International Chess Master and Certified Professional Chess Coach with over 15 years of training experience. He has been a part of the United States' Webster SPICE national chess champion team and is also a two-time Israeli national chess champion. Vitaly Neimer International Chess Master Expert Answer It depends on who you are playing against. If you go for Scholar's Mate against someone who knows how to defend against it, you’ll only be putting yourself in a worse position. This is because when you play Scholar's Mate, you have to develop your queen straightaway, which leaves her open for attack. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 23
Question I'm a beginner, what are some useful tips to defeat my opponent? Donagan Top Answerer A beginner should develop the habit of carefully considering every piece on the board before making a move. Each of your pieces should be viewed for its opportunities to help you, and each of your opponent's pieces should be viewed for its opportunities to hurt you. Don't be in a hurry to make a move. Normal chess is not intended to be a fast game. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 62
Question Should I feel bad if I accidentally fall for Scholar's Mate? Donagan Top Answerer Chess is a difficult and complicated game. Never feel bad if you make a mistake. Every player makes them. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 81
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Co-authored by: Vitaly Neimer International Chess Master This article was co-authored by Vitaly Neimer and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Vitaly Neimer is an International Chess Master and Certified Professional Chess Coach with over 15 years of training experience. He has been a part of the United States' Webster SPICE national chess champion team and is also a two-time Israeli national chess champion. This article has been viewed 285,617 times. 16 votes - 82% Co-authors: 29Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 285,617 Categories: Chess In other languages Spanish Italian Portuguese Russian Dutch Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
Hassan Shehzad
Sep 14, 2018
"I was having trouble beating my brother, but this article helped me. Once I tried the scholars mate on him he was laughing at me, but when he was checkmated he was so embarrassed."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Vitaly Neimer International Chess Master Co-authors: 29Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 285,61782% of readers found this article helpful. 16 votes - 82% Click a star to add your vote
Hassan Shehzad
Sep 14, 2018
"I was having trouble beating my brother, but this article helped me. Once I tried the scholars mate on him he was laughing at me, but when he was checkmated he was so embarrassed."..." more
William
Nov 11, 2021
"This has helped me win a ton of chess games."
Akieel Devraj
Dec 1, 2017
"I learned how to block scholars mate!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Master this chess opening strategy as the white or black player Co-authored by Vitaly Neimer and Hunter Rising 
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Co-authored by: Vitaly Neimer International Chess Master This article was co-authored by Vitaly Neimer and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Vitaly Neimer is an International Chess Master and Certified Professional Chess Coach with over 15 years of training experience. He has been a part of the United States' Webster SPICE national chess champion team and is also a two-time Israeli national chess champion. This article has been viewed 285,617 times. 16 votes - 82% Co-authors: 29 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 285,617 Categories: Chess In other languages Spanish Italian Portuguese Russian Dutch Japanese 
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1 Advance your king's pawn forward two squares from e2 to e4. For your opening move as white, take the pawn in front of your king and push it 2 squares forward to e4. This play moves your pawn toward the center of the board, which is important to control in a chess game, and it also frees up your king’s bishop and queen.[1] 
2 Move your king’s bishop 3 squares diagonally from f1 to c4. Take the bishop that’s next to your king and slide it to c4. In this position, your bishop will threaten your opponent’s pawn on f7 and set up one side of your attack.[2] 
3 Position your queen on h5 to put pressure on your opponent’s pieces. Take your queen and move it diagonally toward the side of the board until it’s on h5. Your queen will threaten the black pawn at F7 just like your bishop on the other side of the board.[3] 
4 Capture the pawn at f7 with your queen to checkmate black. If your opponent has fallen for Scholar’s Mate, just move your queen to f7 and take the pawn there to win your chess game. Your queen now threatens the black king, and they won’t be able to make any moves that put them out of danger. They also won’t be able to take your queen because it’s protected by your bishop on c6.[4] 
1 Open with moving a pawn to e6 to stop the Scholar’s Mate early on. If you notice the white player opens the game by moving their pawn to e4, try to avoid the Scholar’s Mate board setup by only moving your king’s pawn 1 space forward. This blocks the path for the white bishop and helps you win the chess opening.[5] 
2 Push your knight to f6 early to prevent the attack from white’s queen. Rather than waiting until the third turn to move your knight, take the initiative and move it a turn early to f6. That way, you’re already attack the white pawn on e4 and you’re blocking the h5 square so your opponent is less likely to move their queen there.[6] 
3 Move the pawn from g7 to g6 to put pressure on your opponent’s queen. If white moves their queen to h8, defend with your pawn rather than trying to bring your knight out. Putting a pawn on g6 directly attacks the white queen and prevents them from reaching the f7 square, and they won’t want to sacrifice their strong piece just to capture one of your pawns.[7] 
4 Try advancing your queen to e7 or f6 as a last line of defense. After white moves their queen, retaliate by bringing your queen out diagonally. Stopping on e7 protects the pawns at e4 and f7, but it prevents your bishop from moving out on the board. Going to f6 with your queen instead still defends the same pieces but may leave your queen more vulnerable.[8] 
Vitaly Neimer International Chess Master Vitaly Neimer is an International Chess Master and Certified Professional Chess Coach with over 15 years of training experience. He has been a part of the United States' Webster SPICE national chess champion team and is also a two-time Israeli national chess champion. 
Donagan Top Answerer A beginner should develop the habit of carefully considering every piece on the board before making a move. Each of your pieces should be viewed for its opportunities to help you, and each of your opponent's pieces should be viewed for its opportunities to hurt you. Don't be in a hurry to make a move. Normal chess is not intended to be a fast game. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 62 
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