Endgame guide
Two Bishops Checkmate: How to Herd the King
Two bishops mate by building a moving wall of two adjacent diagonals. Unlike the queen and rook mates, the king must be driven not just to the edge but into (or next to) a corner — which is why this is the technique that separates club players from beginners.
The wall
Place the bishops side by side so their diagonals form a barrier the king cannot cross. Advance the wall one diagonal at a time, using your king to take away the squares in front.
Into the corner
Near the edge, the bishops alternate: one holds the wall while the other steps forward. The king gets squeezed along the edge toward a corner of either color — the bishops cover both.
Stalemate traps
The cornered king often has only one or two legal moves. Before every quiet move, check what the defender can actually play. If the answer is nothing and there is no check — you have thrown away the win.
Expect this to take 15–20 accurate moves against best defense. It is the hardest of the basic mates, and the most satisfying to own.