Lolli's Mate

Lolli's Mate

          Lolli’s Mate is a common checkmate pattern performed by the cooperation between a queen and pawn, typically against a castled king. It’s named after Giambattista Lolli, an Italian chess player from the 18th century.

Lolli's Mate Example #1

          Diagram above: White plays 1.Qg7# The pawn defends the queen. This pattern is fairly common and is known as Lolli’s Mate.

Lolli's Mate Example #2

          Diagram above: White plays 1. f6, threatening 2. Qxg7# The only way black can block the checkmate is to play 1… g6, but this will then allow white to execute the Lolli’s checkmate pattern. After 2. Qh6 there is nothing black can do to prevent 3. Qg7# on the next move.

Lolli's Mate Example #3

          Diagram Above: White is in check from the bishop on b8 and sacrifices the rook with 1. Rxb8+ forcing black to take back with 1. Rxb8 white then plays 2. h6 threatening checkmate on g7 so black plays 2. g6 to block the checkmate. This allows white to perform Lolli's checkmate pattern with 3. Qf6 and black has to sacrifice their queen to continue but can't prevent an eventual mate on g7.

Lolli's Mate is a relatively unknown checkmate-pattern and comes up more often than you would think. Make sure you understand the way to force and execute the mate, then you can win while destroying your oppenent like they're a lollipop.