Perpetual Check with the Queen
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Explanation
Perpetual check is a situation where one player can continuously check the opponent's king without allowing the opponent to escape the checks. It is the most common example of a draw by threefold repetition. Read our guide about draw puzzles for more information about threefold repetitions and other types of draw in chess, and how to correctly claim a draw in a tournament game.
Similar to checkmates, perpetual checks can often be easy to spot, but they can also be very tricky to find, or be the part of a more complex combination. In this level we are looking at perpetual checks with the queen, which is the most common piece to give perpetual check.
Common patterns for perpetual check with the queen
Some perpetual checks follow common patterns, and it can be helpful to be familiar with these patterns to spot them in a game. The following diagrams illustrate the most common patterns for perpetual check with the queen:
In these examples, the queen can move horizontally or vertically to give check. The king cannot escape because it is at the edge of the board, or blocked by its own pieces. Note how the queen guards all its neighbouring squares. It is the only piece that can do this, and so can give perpetual check on its own without requiring support from other pieces. This is why perpetual check with the queen is the most common type of perpetual check.
In these examples, the queen can move diagonally to give check.
Examples
Black is threatening checkmate, which White cannot really prevent. However, White can escape with the perpetual check 1.Qxh5+ Kg8 2.Qe8+ Kh7 3.Qh5+ Kg8 4.Qe8+ Kh7 5.Qh5+.
White is down a bishop, and Black is threatening checkmate. This is similar to the first example, but the bishop guards the square e8. With the help of the rook on f3, White can give perpetual check with 1.Qh5+ Kg8 2.Qf7+ Kh7 3.Qh5+ Kg8 4.Qf7+ Kh8 5.Qh5+.
The black rook seems to defend the king, but White can give perpetual check anyway with 1.Qf6+ Rg7 2.Qd8+ Rg8 3.Qf6+ Rg7 4.Qd8+.
Here even a defending queen does not fare better than a rook, and Black can give perpetual check with 1...Qd1+ 2.Qg1 Qf3+ 3.Qg2 Qd1+ 4.Qg1 Qf3+.