Tips for Smothered Mate
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I’ve gone through the smothered mate lesson and GM Wolff Smother Tactics, but I’m still having a hard time “seeing” it. I can solve the exercises, but there’s no way I’d recognize these in an actual game. Any tips? Or is this just beyond my level for now? How often are smothered mate techniques used?
Jan 29, 2021
0
#2
"Seeing it" is maybe 1400-ish level? If you aren't there yet, then the visualization required might be the reason. How common is a smothered mate? Not too common. Additionally, probably half of the games that could end in smothered mate don't get that far because it is the threat of it that forces the opponent to defend and then they lose material somewhere else etc. In this case, the smothered mate being threatened is more like a diversion they must attend to.
I think the easiest thing to "see" smothered mate is to learn how to "set it up" in a game situation. Setting up the first Knight move is the key, since that is the toughest part to get in a game.
It is a pretty looking checkmate, but it isn't too common at all. Even if you know the pattern, it arising in a game situation is still unlikely.
Jan 29, 2021
0
#3
I did get this nice game a few years ago - it might interest readers of this thread 
Thank you for taking the time to reply! You answered all my questions. I think it will be helpful to know this technique exists. I’ll continue to work on this exercise incase I have to defend against it. Glad to know it’s a tactic I don’t need to be super proficient in.
I loved your end game by the way. I can tell you’ve put the time in! Bravo.
I loved your end game by the way. I can tell you’ve put the time in! Bravo.
