Reti’s Mate is a checkmating pattern involving a Bishop and a Rook when the enemy King is blocked by many of its own pieces leaving only three available squares left which are covered by a Bishop and a Rook, resulting in checkmate.
It’s achieved by your opponent putting their King in a vulnerable position by blocking many of the King’s squares by their own pieces. The mate is delivered with a Bishop with the Rook covering the Bishop and blocking the other two squares of the King’s escape.
Example
This example is from Richard Reti himself in a famous game that took place in 1910 in Vienna against Savielly Tartakower.
Even though it’s a short game, the fun starts on move 5 for White. Qd3 is played by White and plans on castling Queen side which puts White’s Rook in excellent position for the upcoming mate.
Black plays e5 which only helps White. White then takes the pawn with dxe5 making the D file wide open for White’s Rook.
After White castles, Reti plays a beautiful Queen sacrifice on move 9. Qd8+ is played, forcing Black’s King to capture the Queen.
White then moves the dark squared Bishop giving Black a double check with the Rook and Bishop. Black can’t take White’s Bishop because of the Rook.
Black moves to Kc7 and White then delivers a beautiful mate with Bd8#.
I hope this guide on Reti’s Mate helped you. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in other checkmate patterns like Anastasia’s mate and the Morphy’s Mate.