Pronunciation: [smˈʌðəd mˈe͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The spelling of the chess move "smothered mate" is straightforward. The first word is spelled as it sounds, with a long "o" sound and a "th" sound. The second word is also spelled phonetically, with a short "a" sound, a "th" sound, and a silent "e". The IPA transcription for "smothered mate" is /ˈsmʌðərd meɪt/. This is a type of checkmate where the king is trapped by their own pieces and cannot escape capture.
Smothered mate is a term used in the game of chess to describe a checkmate that occurs when the king is completely surrounded by its own pieces, rendering it helpless and unable to escape capture. It is a particularly rare and fascinating type of checkmate, known for its aesthetic appeal and strategic finesse.
In a smothered mate, the attacking side sacrifices one of its major pieces, usually a queen or a rook, to deliver checkmate to the opposing king. By surrounding the king with a web of its own pieces, the attacker's remaining forces restrict the king's movement, essentially suffocating it. This suffocation prevents the king from fleeing to a safe square or being protected by its own pieces.
The smothered mate is often achieved by luring the opponent's king into a position where a clearance sacrifice is necessary. This sacrifice typically involves placing the attacker's own piece in a square adjacent to the opponent's king, forcing it to move to an unfavorable location. This opening allows the seizing player to unleash a series of coordinated attacks that lead to the smothered mate.
Smothered mates are regarded as exquisite displays of tactical brilliance and foresight in chess. They require strategic thinking, accurate calculations, and the ability to sacrifice a major piece with a clear vision of the impending checkmate. The smothered mate showcases the power of good piece coordination, effectively utilizing the surrounding forces to immobilize and annihilate the opponent's king.
The term "smothered mate" in chess comes from the combination of the words "smothered" and "mate".
- "Smothered" originates from the Middle English word "smorther", which means to suffocate or choke. It has Old English and Old Norse roots.
- "Mate" in chess refers to a checkmate, which means the king is in a position to be captured, and thus, the game ends.
When combined, the phrase "smothered mate" describes a checkmate in which the opposing king is surrounded and suffocated by a mass of its own pieces, unable to escape or avoid capture. The term was coined due to the visual resemblance of the pieces "smothering" the king.
