Double Bishop Mate: chess tactic

Both bishops sweep the king down crossing diagonals

Both bishops work together: one delivers the check, the other defends and threatens. The shape often arises after a sacrifice that draws a defender onto a square the second bishop can take. Sibling of Boden's mate, but here the two bishops act on the same colour complex with one defending the other rather than crossing at right angles.

• Both bishops survive into the attack, one delivers, one defends.
• Often arises after a sacrifice that brings a defender onto a recapture square.
• Cousin of Boden's mate (criss-cross bishops) but with the bishops on the same diagonal.
• Keep both bishops alive in attacking positions; the pair is worth more than the sum.