What it looks like
The king stands on g8, with its own rook on f8. One bishop stands far away, on b2, and covers g7 and h8 along the long diagonal. The other bishop gives check on h7, and the knight on g5 protects it and covers f7. The king has not a single square.
Three minor pieces, and the one that gives mate comes in last, from a square that looked harmless. That is why the mate is easy to miss, for both sides.
The queen is sacrificed for the diagonal
Often a pawn on g6 closes the diagonal towards h7. Then the queen can be sacrificed on h5. If the pawn takes back, the way is open for the bishop, and if Black declines, the queen mates by herself.
The Black Death
Joseph Henry Blackburne lived from 1841 to 1924 and dominated British chess in the late nineteenth century. He was called the Black Death, and he traveled around the country giving simultaneous and blindfold displays.
Why the pattern carries his name, and which game it would be, we have not been able to find out.
See it coming, and defend
- A bishop on the long diagonal. The bishop on b2, or b7, can sit there the whole game and wait. Trade it off if you can.
- A knight on g5, or g4. It protects h7 and covers f7. Chase it away with a pawn, for example h6.
- The diagonal towards h7. If a pawn on g6 is in the way, expect your opponent to try to lure it away.
- A rook on f8. It takes the king's only way to the side. Sometimes moving the rook is enough for the king to escape.
Puzzles
Frequently asked questions
What is Blackburne's mate?
A checkmate with two bishops and a knight against a king that has castled kingside. One bishop gives check on h7, protected by the knight, and the other bishop covers g7 and h8 along the long diagonal.
Who was Blackburne?
Joseph Henry Blackburne, an English chess master who lived from 1841 to 1924. He was called the Black Death and was known for his simultaneous and blindfold displays.
Updated November 14, 2026