Step 1 · Bring the king
White to move
6k1/8/5K2/8/8/8/3Q4/8 w - - 0 1King and queen against a lone king. The queen alone cannot mate — your king must help. Step it to g6, next to the black king's escape squares.
The move: Kf6-g6
Now your king guards f7, g7 and h7. The black king has only the back rank.
Common mistake: Not yet — the queen needs help. Bring your king to g6 first, where it takes away f7, g7 and h7.
Black has one idea
Black to move
6k1/8/6K1/8/8/8/3Q4/8 b - - 1 1Black steps into the corner. Now the queen can finish it.
Step 2 · Checkmate in one
White to move
7k/8/6K1/8/8/8/3Q4/8 w - - 2 2The queen must give check on a square the king cannot reach — and your king guards the escape squares.
The move: Qd2-d8
Checkmate. Your king covers g7 and h7, the queen closes the last squares. That is the queen mate.
Common mistake: The king still has an answer. Check along the back rank — your king already protects g7 and h7.
What you learned
Use your king and queen together. Reduce escape squares, protect the queen and check for stalemate before each move.