Why should I learn it?
It’s not too common that you will find yourself in this position. However, if you do, it will be very hard to find the correct winning maneuver in real time, with the clock ticking. That is why you should learn how to play it beforehand. As a bonus, doing so will also provide you useful insights into the cooperation mechanisms between two Bishops.
When do I use it?
You could reach this endgame from a variety of different material combinations, so there’s no particular one to mention here. For instance, you could get there by winning your opponent’s Rook in a 2-Bishops vs Rook endgame with pawns to both sides. If your opponent then manages to trade off the pawns, your Bishops become your only weapons with which to checkmate.
Link to Practice Problems
Checkmating with King and Two Bishops vs King problem #1
Step-by-Step Guide on Checkmating with King and Two Bishops
It is White to move. As far as mating with two bishop goes, this position basically just couldn’t get any better.
The Black king only has b5 and a7 to escape to because White’s dark-colored bishop controls a5 while the king controls b6 and b7. Since it is White’s turn, we will be able to deprive Black of the b5 square.
- Bc4+
This makes it so that the only square Black could retreat to is a7.
- …Ka7
The only move. Now, as you can see, Black is trapped and its only escape path is a8. How does White continue on the attack?
- Bc5+
The only move that makes progress. Thanks to this check, the Black king is finally cornered.
- …Ka8
Again, the only move. Now, Black has no more squares to run off to so be careful of stalemate. Thankfully, we could finally end this game on our next move.
- Bd5#
Checkmate. Black wasn’t able to do anything from start to finish thanks to White’s properly placed bishops and king.