Announcing mate

[Michael Farthing]

I'm an utter coward in this situation. In extremis I might get as far as saying, "I think that's mate" but much prefer to wait for my opponent to tell me.

[David Sedgwick]

I'm an utter coward in this situation. In extremis I might get as far as saying, "I think that's mate" but much prefer to wait for my opponent to tell me.

"I think that's mate" may have been what I said, although I recall extending my hand.

[Mike Gunn]

Just saying Mate? rather than Mate! would seem to be the solution.

[Paul Cooksey]

I'd play the move, press the clock and wait. I don't think there is any issue in pressing the clock after the game formally over, if it is checkmate.

I did google that, and see this has been discussed before on other forums. My favourite suggestion is "Shout "Boom!" and start your victory dance"

[Kevin Thurlow]

(I agree with Paul)

I don't think I even announce mate when it is mate. I think announcing it in advance would be classified as a distraction (not just to your opponent, but other people playing nearby).

You can really only talk (and then minimally) to (a) offer or accept a draw, (b) resign or accept resignation, (c) offer tea/ coffee or other beverage, or say "thanks" when the opponent delivers one, (d) point out phone going off, and David's favourite (e) "Was that the fire alarm? Let's go."

When I was playing at Redhill in the late 60s, my father was playing Major Low, a distinguished old soldier. Another player was rocking back and forth on his chair considering his position. Apart from the ticking of the clocks, the room was in silence. The rocking player then miscalculated and fell over backwards with an enormous crash. Other people rushed to his aid. Major Low was the only undisturbed player, and quietly commented, "Hah, reminds me of the blitz." Play continued in silence.

(Note to young people - Blitz = German air raids, not 5-minute events.)

[Tim Spanton]

I regard (c) as a distraction!

[MJMcCready]

If checkmate is delivered on a dark-coloured square, I say 'Stay out of the black and in the red, you get nothing in this game for two in a bed.' Admittedly, this does sometimes cause confusion.

[LawrenceCooper]

My favourite suggestion is "Shout "Boom!" and start your victory dance"

[Roger Lancaster]

If checkmate is delivered on a dark-coloured square, I say 'Stay out of the black and in the red, you get nothing in this game for two in a bed.' Admittedly, this does sometimes cause confusion.

Sure you're not confusing chess with roulette?

[Matt Mackenzie]

Darts, more like

[NickFaulks]

When a checkmate has come out of the blue, and in fact I noticed it only after analysing alternatives, I have been known to burst into involuntary laughter. Is that wrong?

[James Pratt]

An old story. Irishman Connor Bracken once exclaimed "It's mate in eight!" Andrew Whiteley told him to be quiet (and it was mate in 7) ..

[Nick Grey]

I announced mate in 3 in the late 80s. It was a London League match at the end of the session so I sealed my move openly. We exchanged phone numbers. ,I complained to their captain. No phone calls answered so 2 weeks gone and a resumption. After half hour I complained to the officials. My opponent never turned up. He was barred from playing for the club. And I left with a few members saying It's mate in 3.