Tips to see checkmates

Nahh

Nahhh I like the struggle to the end. Sneaky checkmates are way too boring

Familiarize yourself with the checkmate patterns. There's a page on chess.com that goes over a bunch (https://www.chess.com/terms/checkmate-chess#arabian-mate) and you can find other resources online as well by searching for "checkmate patterns".

If you take the time to learn a few of these (some are quite uncommon; smothered mate is pretty rare, but very cool if you pull it off ), you can then keep your eye out for situations where one might become possible. If you recognize that situation, you can work on your calculations to see if you can bring about the required conditions. Even if your opponent spots what you're doing, to prevent mate you may be able to win material if giving it up is the only way for your opponent to thwart your plan. Be careful about making sacrifices to achieve your objective, though, as you want to make sure that there isn't a defence that results in you giving up material for no return.

puzzles

I know it's cringe, and many people say it, you probably think I'm being ridiculous, but take some time to go on puzzles, and you'll see what I mean. That's how I learned back rank and smothered.

smothered is rare

BRO NOBODY USES THAT THEME