checkmated / exhausted
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checkmated
A state in a game of chess in which a player's king is under attack in such a way that it cannot escape the attack, which immediately ends the game. It is an alternative spelling of 'matt' (checkmated).
Nach diesem Zug war der weiße König mate.
After this move, the white king was checkmated.
Careful: 'mate' is a false friend! It does not mean 'friend' or 'buddy' like the English word 'mate'. In German, it refers almost exclusively to the game of chess.
Mit seinem nächsten Zug setzte er den Gegner mate.
With his next move, he checkmated his opponent.
The word 'mate' (checkmated) is used only predicatively, meaning it comes after the noun, usually with the verb 'sein' (to be). Use before the noun, e.g. 'der mate König', is not possible.
Der König ist mate, die Partie ist vorbei.
The king is checkmated; the game is over.
This word is used almost exclusively in the context of chess. Words like 'König' (king), 'Zug' (move), 'Partie' (game), or 'Schachbrett' (chessboard) are clear signals for this meaning.
Ich habe nicht gesehen, dass mein König nach nur drei Zügen mate war.
I didn't see that my king was checkmated after only three moves.
The meaning 'exhausted' or 'weak' is outdated. In modern German, 'mate' is no longer used in this sense.
Früher sagte man nach langer Arbeit: „Ich fühle mich ganz mate.“
People used to say after long work: 'I feel completely exhausted.'
weak / matte
'matt' and 'mate' mean the same situation in chess: the king can no longer escape the attack, and the game is over. In modern German, people almost always write and say 'matt'. 'mate' is an old or very rare spelling. Learners may confuse the forms because they look almost the same and have the same chess meaning. In practical terms: in normal texts and conversations, 'matt' is the natural form.
In dem alten Schachbuch steht, dass der König mate ist.
The old chess book says that the king is checkmated.
Nach dem letzten Zug war der schwarze König matt.
After the final move, the black king was in checkmate.