This mating pattern and mating net using a Queen and a pawn, or a Queen and a Bishop, may be developed through many different lines. The mating pattern follows the common theme of the Queen being adjacent to and checkmating the opposing King while protected and defended by a pawn or a Bishop. A typical line involves bringing mating pressure to bear against h7 with either a pawn or a Bishop at g6 with Black’s King castled to the Kingside, and a player’s Queen in an open h file. I use below an example with a pawn at g6, a slightly modified position than shown in The Complete Book of Chess Strategy, Grandmaster Techniques from A to Z, IM Jeremy Silman, at page 160. [Full book reference in the Recommended Readings section] Mr. Silman provides a further example using a Bishop instead of a pawn at page 161. Mr. Silman notes at page 161, “This mate was first discussed in a book by Damiano in 1512!” This mating pattern, though, can be applied against an opposing King located in any of the four sides of the board. [There is another mate called Damiano’s Bishop Mate, but that one involves a Queen and a Bishop with the Queen mating at f7, covered in a separate tutorial]

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