checkmates

noun

a chess move constituting an inescapable and indefensible attack on the opponent's king

complete victory

verb

place an opponent's king under an attack from which it cannot escape and thus ending the game

Roots

shahcheck- · Persian · king mata-mate · Persian · is dead

Synonyms & related words for checkmates

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Words related to checkmates

Explore words related to checkmates — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include checkmated, chess, kingside, chesspiece, queenside, fianchetto, isolani, castling. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does checkmates come from?

The word checkmates breaks down into 2 roots of Persian origin: check-, from Persian shah (“king”); and -mate, from Persian mata (“is dead”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.