What is Blackburne’s Mate?

Two bishops and a knight coordinate to deliver checkmate against a castled king.

Blackburne's Mate is named after Joseph Henry Blackburne (1841–1924), the leading English chess player of the late 19th century, nicknamed "the Black Death." Two bishops and a knight combine to deliver checkmate against a castled king.

Key Elements

• A knight occupies an aggressive square, restricting the king.
  
• One bishop controls a critical diagonal.
  
• The second bishop delivers the checkmating blow, often on h7 or h2.