The Checkmate Patterns Manual

This is a peek inside inside Chessable's flagship course on checkmates! It's a comprehensive guide to mate patterns in chess that is suitable for all levels, highly trainable, and a lot of fun! Chessable author CraftyRaf created the course in 2019, and he and our team have recently upgraded it to a full manual with 1000 variations and 36 total chapters. Additionally, I spent the last two weeks researching and recording 10 hours of video where I discuss the patterns, games in which the patterns occurred (all trainable!), and historical background for many of the games, players, and patterns in question. We worked hard on the final product, and I believe it's a course that will benefit players for life. Please check it out, and happy checkmating! :)

I offer private online chess lessons. Navigate to my "About" section, and then click on "For business inquiries" to reveal my email address.

Recommended chess books and equipment:

[spookmcgein]

John always has a serious youth pastor vibe, but instead of talking about Jesus he's going to tell you about the legitimacy of the Scandinavian defense.

[ajippov]

This is some serious "John-ception;" you're wearing the same shirt as in the thumbnail of the chessable video.

[andyisyoda]

This is awesome John. You have advanced chess. What a stunning achievement. I’m am so impressed - this is a chess learner’s dream.

[flfunno]

Great work John! I'm very happy to see all your hard work paying off in so many ways!

[gaurichess]

Already bought it and streamed it yesterday!

[NastierNate]

I really wanted you to say “This course was only made possible because of one man... me, IM John Bartholomew.”

[dabullsg]

Just started using chessable. Can’t wait to continue learning new things!

[JoelRaza-nt]

no skip ad for you john, i am big fan of yours

[dr.deepakgore]

Very nice and brilliant mating patterns, congratulations

[simplehealthyliving]

This is such an awesome video. I'm a huge fan of John for such things.

[bigchief]

I checkmated an opponent with bishop and knight today! I’m glad you suggested to me to learn it!

[nickd]

The real question! Does it have Jerome's mate from the infamous Jerome gambit?

[dasdawfda]

Always awesome to see a new video! I have already liked it before seeing it because I know it will be good if it's from JB. I wonder if sometime we'll see a MJB course on how to make a good coffee

[KrazyKrzysztof]

this is a really cool idea. it beats those opening manuals everyone is making.

[TomasWildViking]

This was too tempting to pass up John. Decided to get the video part as well. Lots of fun already :)

[chesshub]

Hi Sir, I would love to get this course but sir that will only be possible if you solve my problem(I have mailed you my issue please check it )

[cfgauss]

The David vs Goliath mate was awesome. Never saw that before! And I got the final puzzle using it. Very effective!

[tomrender]

This is awesome! All that is needed now is a Scandi video course by you John, and a video version of Tune Your Chess Tactics Antenna, please :) (ideally also done by you John :P). I'm dyslexic and so reading and following along is hard, but the move trainer and video are perfect (if they could be combined like they are with the text that would be even better - currently need them open in 2 windows lol).

[mitchstookey]

I love this course so much and am so excited about the addition of your video content. I have started to see these patterns in games now and even if you don't get the mate people often have to shed pieces to stop them! You also can't look for these opportunities if you don't even know they exist, and after learning them my game has definitely improved.

[MatthewForan]

Wait you mean there are other mates besides ladder mate and King+Queen/rook?

Of course I'm joking - I also do the queen protected by the across the board bishop because my opponent wasn't paying attention mate