Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

/ˈʧɛkˌmeɪt/

Definitions

1. Noun: A situation in the game of chess where the opponent's king is in a position to be captured ("check") and cannot escape from the attack. The game ends with the player who checkmates the other winning.
2. Verb: To place the opponent’s king in checkmate, thereby winning the game.
3. Figurative: A situation in which someone has been trapped or has no way to avoid defeat, often used in a non-chess context (e.g., "The politician was checkmated by his opponents' strategy.")

Usage Examples

• "The game ended in checkmate after a brilliant move by the challenger."
• "She was checkmated by his sharp logic in the debate."
• "The final move was a brilliant checkmate, securing his victory in the tournament."

Etymology

The word "checkmate" comes from the Middle French term "eschec et mat," which was derived from the Persian phrase "shāh māt," meaning "the king is dead" or "the king is helpless." The term is a combination of "shāh" (king) and "māt" (helpless or dead), referring to the state in which the king has no escape from being captured in the game of chess.

Synonyms

• Defeat
• Check
• Endgame

Antonyms

• Escape
• Survival
• Victory

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

American English: /ˈʧɛkˌmeɪt/

British English: /ˈʧɛkˌmeɪt/

Australian English: /ˈʧɛkˌmeɪt/

Historical Usage

The term "checkmate" has been used for centuries, dating back to the origins of the game of chess. Its use in the modern sense of a decisive victory over an opponent is rooted in medieval Europe, but the game itself was derived from ancient Indian chaturanga and Persian shatranj. The phrase "shāh māt" was used in the 9th century and evolved into the term "checkmate" in European languages over time. Chess became a popular pastime across Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries, and the use of "checkmate" as a term for winning became standardized.

Cultural Nuances

While "checkmate" is primarily associated with chess, it has come to symbolize the concept of an inevitable, decisive defeat in many cultural contexts. In politics, business, and even sports, "checkmate" is often used metaphorically to describe a move that guarantees a person’s victory, or an inescapable situation. The phrase has transcended chess to become part of everyday language, symbolizing the triumph of strategy, wit, and planning.

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