Answers.Body: <p>The precise answer to your question is <strong>four half-moves</strong>. The only checkmate possible in two moves is by Black - <code>1.f3 e5 2.g4 Qh4#</code> (This mate is known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fool%27s_mate" rel="noreferrer">Fool's Mate</a>). Slight variations may occur (in White's move order or in the distance Black's e-pawn or White's f-pawn is advanced):</p>
  
  <pre><code>1.g4 e5 2.f3 Qh4#
  1.f3 e6 2.g4 Qh4#
  1.g4 e6 2.f3 Qh4#
  1.g4 e5 2.f4 Qh4#
  1.f4 e5 2.g4 Qh4#
  1.g4 e6 2.f4 Qh4#
  1.f4 e6 2.g4 Qh4#
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>If White is to mate, a minimum of five half-moves (three moves) is required, for example <code>1.e4 f6 2.d4 g5 3.Qh5#</code> (with similar variations possible).</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-06-27T10:56:29.537Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-06-28T13:29:23.523Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2013-06-28T13:29:23.523Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Daniel
Body: <p>What is the minimum number of moves, counting both sides, in which a checkmate can be made?</p>
  
Tags: <analysis><statistics><checkmate>
Title: Minimum moves to checkmate?
ThreadText: # Minimum moves to checkmate?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2013-06-27)
  
  What is the minimum number of moves, counting both sides, in which a checkmate can be made?
  
  **Tags:** analysis, statistics, checkmate
  
  
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  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2013-06-27. Score: 10 | Accepted answer
  
  The precise answer to your question is four half-moves. The only checkmate possible in two moves is by Black - 1.f3 e5 2.g4 Qh4# (This mate is known as Fool's Mate). Slight variations may occur (in White's move order or in the distance Black's e-pawn or White's f-pawn is advanced):
  1.g4 e5 2.f3 Qh4#
  1.f3 e6 2.g4 Qh4#
  1.g4 e6 2.f3 Qh4#
  1.g4 e5 2.f4 Qh4#
  1.f4 e5 2.g4 Qh4#
  1.g4 e6 2.f4 Qh4#
  1.f4 e6 2.g4 Qh4#
  
  If White is to mate, a minimum of five half-moves (three moves) is required, for example 1.e4 f6 2.d4 g5 3.Qh5# (with similar variations possible).
  
  
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