Definition of checkmate

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Checkmate

/ˌtʃekˈmeɪt//ˌtʃekˈmeɪt/

"Checkmate" originates from the Persian phrase "shah mat," meaning "the king is dead." In chess, "shah" refers to the king, while "mat" implies a state of being trapped, helpless, and ultimately defeated. The phrase was adopted into Arabic as "shah mat" and then into European languages, evolving into "checkmate" around the 15th century. The term accurately captures the finality of the game when the king is under attack and cannot escape.

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to put your opponent in a position in which they cannot prevent their king (= the most important piece) being captured and therefore lose the game

đặt đối thủ của bạn vào tình thế mà họ không thể ngăn chặn vua của họ (= quân quan trọng nhất) bị bắt và do đó thua trò chơi

Example:
  • His king had been checkmated.

    Vua của ông đã bị chiếu tướng.

to defeat somebody completely

đánh bại ai đó hoàn toàn

Example:
  • She hoped the plan would checkmate her opponents.

    Cô hy vọng kế hoạch này sẽ chiếu hết đối thủ của mình.

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