---
title: "Mate in two: forcing moves first: chess lesson · Chess Goat"
description: "Search checks first, then captures, then threats, and follow each to the end. 10-minute lesson with puzzles at your level."
canonical: "https://trychessgoat.com/learn/lesson/mate-in-two/"
last_updated: 2026-10-09
---

Level 2 · Win material on purpose · 800–1100 · 10 min

# Mate in two: forcing moves first

Search checks first, then captures, then threats, and follow each to the end.

## The rule to take into your games

**To find mate in two, try every check first and ask: after each reply, do I have mate?**

Part of Goat Pass: 3 steps on the board, 3 guided examples, then puzzles at your level, and the ones you miss come back until they stick. The first 3 lessons are free.

[Open this lesson →](https://trychessgoat.com/learn/#/lesson/mate-in-two)

Not sure this is your leak? Your free [Goat Card](https://trychessgoat.com/u/) reads your chess.com games and puts the lessons that fix your biggest mistakes first. Next lesson: [Classic mating patterns](https://trychessgoat.com/learn/lesson/mating-patterns/).