Your first win

Every chess player remembers their first win. Some players win in their second game, while others play many games before they win. A win at any real board counts: the kitchen table, school break, a club or a tournament. Your opponent can be anyone too, like a friend, a sister or a grandpa. Every world champion had a first win once, too.

Only checkmate counts here

If your opponent gives up, that is a fine win, but for this sticker you need a checkmate. A checkmate shows that you can finish a game all by yourself. Checkmate means their king is in check and has no way out. The Checkmate sticker teaches you how to be sure it really is checkmate.

Way ahead? Finish the job

Many first wins turn into a draw at the very end, and here is how it happens. You are far ahead, and you make one more move. Now your opponent has no move left at all. If their king is not in check, that is stalemate, and stalemate is a draw, not a win. So near the end, check after each move that they can still move. Then find the check that their king cannot escape from.

Lost? Try again

Every game you lose teaches you something. After a loss, say "good game" and shake hands. Then look back over the game for the move where things went wrong. Watch what the winners do, and try it yourself. Then one day you say "checkmate", and it is true.

How you get the sticker

Show the checkmate on the board to your grown-up or coach. Your grown-up or coach checks it and hands you the sticker. At a club or a course, the coach may have seen your win. If you won at home or at school, then your grown-up at home looks at the board. You can also tell them who you beat and how you did it. Did you win before you had the passport? It still counts.