It is possible to achieve a checkmate in one move in chess. A checkmate occurs when the opponent’s king is under attack and has no legal moves to escape capture. This results in the game being won by the player who has successfully checkmated their opponent’s king.
There are various ways to achieve a checkmate in one move, and it can be done by either white or black, depending on the position and the moves played leading up to it.
Let’s consider a position where white has the opportunity to deliver a checkmate in one move. In the following position, white can deliver checkmate by moving their queen to h7:
8 r . . . . k . .
7 . . . . . . . .
6 . . . . . . . .
5 . . . . . . . .
4 . . . . . . . .
3 . . . . . . . .
2 . . . . . . . .
1 . . . . . . . K
In this position, the white queen moves to h7, delivering a checkmate to the black king on g8. The black king has no legal moves to escape capture, as all surrounding squares are either occupied or controlled by the white queen.
Now let’s consider a position where black has the opportunity to deliver a checkmate in one move. In the following position, black can deliver checkmate by moving their rook to h1:
8 . . . . . k . .
7 . . . . . . . .
6 . . . . . . . .
5 . . . . . . . .
4 . . . . . . . .
3 . . . . . . . .
2 . . . . . . . .
1 . . . . . . r K
In this position, the black rook moves to h1, delivering a checkmate to the white king on g1. The white king has no legal moves to escape capture, as all surrounding squares are either occupied or controlled by the black rook.
It is worth mentioning that achieving a checkmate in one move is relatively rare in actual games. It usually occurs in specific tactical situations where the opponent’s king is already in a vulnerable position. Most games involve strategic planning, maneuvering, and multiple moves to gradually build up an advantageous position and eventually secure a checkmate.
While it is possible to achieve a checkmate in one move in chess, it is not a common occurrence in regular games. It requires specific positions and moves that can lead to an immediate checkmate.