CHECKMATING WITH 2 BISHOPS - THE STRATEGY

Checkmating with two bishops and a king against a lone king is a fundamental endgame technique. It’s slower than a queen or rook checkmate, but completely forced with correct play.

Step-by-Step: How to Checkmate with Two Bishops and a King
Goal:
Force the enemy king to the edge of the board, then into a corner that is controlled by your bishops.

 
Step 1: Centralize Your King
Get your king toward the center to help control escape squares and support the bishops.

 
Step 2: Coordinate the Bishops
Use your bishops together to:

Cut off files/ranks/diagonals.
Control squares the enemy king might flee to.
Create a “box” around the enemy king and gradually shrink it.
 
Step 3: Drive the King to the Edge
Systematically reduce the space the enemy king can move in by using your bishops and king together. This takes coordination—bishops cover diagonals, your king covers adjacent escape squares.

 
Step 4: Force the King into the Right Corner
You can only deliver checkmate in a corner that matches the color of your bishops’ diagonals. For example:

If you have two light-square bishops, you must checkmate on a light-square corner.
Use zugzwang (forcing the enemy to move when they don't want to) to drive the king into that corner.

 
Step 5: Deliver Checkmate
Once the enemy king is in the correct corner, place your bishops to control the escape squares, and use your king to help cut off flight paths. The final mate looks like this:

Example Position:

White bishops on d6 and f6
White king on e6
Black king on h8
On this move: Bishop to f6 delivers checkmate, as the black king has no escape squares.