How to checkmate with bishop and knight

Checkmating with a bishop and knight vs. king is one of the most difficult basic checkmates to learn—but it’s completely theoretical and guaranteed, as long as you know the correct technique.

 
✅ Goal
Force the enemy king to the corner that matches the color of your bishop.

If you have a light-squared bishop, you must push the king into a light corner (like h1 or a8).
The other corner is a draw if you can't force him out in time.
 
🧠 Key Concepts
Use your pieces together—don’t let the king escape.
Control the center, then push the enemy king to the edge.
Force the king into the correct corner.
Use the “W-maneuver” with the knight to control escape squares.
Deliver mate with king + knight + bishop coordinating.
 
🔁 Phases of the Mate
1. Drive the king to the edge
Use your king, knight, and bishop to reduce the opponent king’s space.
Cut off ranks/files and drive them to the edge.
2. Force king into the right corner
If the king goes to the wrong-color corner, you must “chase” him to the correct one.
The knight often has to “dance” around to control key escape squares.
3. Set up checkmate
Once the enemy king is trapped in the right corner, you use a sequence like:

The bishop controls one diagonal.
The knight covers key escape squares.
Your king supports the final mate.
 
♟ Example Mate Setup (Light-Squared Bishop, White Mates on a8)
Let's say the black king is trapped in the a8 corner:

White King on c6
White Bishop on c8
White Knight on b6
Black King on a8
Final Move:
1. Bc8-a6#

Bishop delivers checkmate.
Knight covers b7 and c8.
King blocks escape to b8.