Checkmate backdrop
Crime•Drama•Mystery

The Best Episodes of Checkmate

Every episode of Checkmate ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Checkmate!

Binge this in 2d 21h•Peaking at 10.0/10

Checkmate is an American detective television series starring Anthony George, Sebastian Cabot, and Doug McClure. The show aired on CBS Television from 1960 to 1962 for a total of 70 episodes and was produced by

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Checkmate Season 2 Episode 19 - An Assassin Arrives, Andante
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - An Assassin Arrives, Andante

    S2:E19

    Victor Ragar, a cellist at a music conservatory that fronts for an Eastern Bloc freedom movement of which he is the leader, is in danger of being assassinated by a compatriot who accuses him of betraying the cause. The would-be assassin, Paul Delorio, also has a personal motive- Victor ran off with Paul's wife while Paul was in prison in the old country. The conservatory's director, also a member of the movement, hires Checkmate to protect Victor.

    Director:Tom Gries
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Checkmate Season 2 Episode 21 - Heart Is a Handout
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Heart Is a Handout

    S2:E21

    Jed and Dr. Hyatt go undercover as members of a hobo community to protect a man known as Doc, acknowledged leader of the community. Years ago Doc was disinherited by his wealthy father for behaving irresponsibly with money, but now his dying father wants him back, and others in his family want him dead so they won't have to pay him an allowance. When Doc winds up inheriting the entire estate, he goes to town with it, making Checkmate's job more difficult.

    Director:Tom Gries
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 1 - Death Runs Wild
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - Death Runs Wild

    S1:E1

    Story tells of a demented woman out to kill private eye Anthony George. The instrument of death, as it turned out, was, a wild stallion she stocked on her ranch. Her motive was revenge. On a previous case, the private eye had brought her lover to justice and the gas chamber.

    Directors:Jules Munshin, Jules Bricken
    Writers:James Gunn, John Kneubuhl

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 2 - Interrupted Honeymoon
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Interrupted Honeymoon

    S1:E2

    No description available

    Director:Herschel Daugherty
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 3 - The Cyanide Touch
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - The Cyanide Touch

    S1:E3

    No description available

    Director:Don Weis
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 4 - Lady on the Brink
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Lady on the Brink

    S1:E4

    Checkmate comes to the aid of a woman with a traumatic past when it becomes evident that someone is trying to make it appear she's mentally unstable. discrediting her eye-witness testimony at a murder trial.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Howard Browne

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Checkmate

    READ
  7. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 5 - Face in the Window
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Face in the Window

    S1:E5

    No description available

    Director:Robert Florey
    Writer:Leigh Brackett

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 6 - Runaway
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Runaway

    S1:E6

    A girl shows up at Corey's apartment, claiming that she is running from someone who is trying to kill her. However, the detectives all find that nothing she has said checks out, including her numerous aliases, and that she's actually an heiress running from a controlling grandmother. But it does appear that the part about someone trying to kill her may be the truth.

    Director:Don Medford
    Writer:James Gunn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 7 - Target: Tycoon
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Target: Tycoon

    S1:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 8 - The Deadly Shadow
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - The Deadly Shadow

    S1:E8

    No description available

    Director:Don Weis
    Writer:William P. McGivern

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 9 - The Dark Divide
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - The Dark Divide

    S1:E9

    Barbara Rush plays a dual role in The dark divide. Why should Margaret Russell's life be threatened? Her aunt keeps getting phone calls from a woman named Nikki Garnett, threatening Margaret. What motive could the woman have?

    Director:Don Weis
    Writer:James Gunn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 10 - Moment of Truth
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Moment of Truth

    S1:E10

    No description available

    Director:Walter Doniger
    Writer:Jameson Brewer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 11 - The Mask of Vengeance
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - The Mask of Vengeance

    S1:E11

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 12 - The Murder Game
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - The Murder Game

    S1:E12

    Attorney Emory Olivant invites Corey, Sills and Dr. Hyatt to a party. Once all the guests have arrived, Olivant announces that they are going to play a game—a murder game in which he will be the killer.

    Director:Douglas Heyes
    Writer:Douglas Heyes

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 13 - The Princess in the Tower
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - The Princess in the Tower

    S1:E13

    No description available

    Director:Herschel Daugherty
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 14 - The Terror from the East
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - The Terror from the East

    S1:E14

    No description available

    Director:Herschel Daugherty
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 15 - The Human Touch
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - The Human Touch

    S1:E15

    Arguably the finest episode of the series, featuring guest star Peter Lorre as an ex-con criminal mastermind determined to wreak revenge on master criminologist Sebastian Cabot. An intricate series of cat and mouse moves between the two geniuses culminates in a surprise and ultimately poignant ending, befitting the episode title. This episode stresses the close friendships between the three detectives of CHECKMATE INCORPORATED as it contrasts with that of the brilliant, but soulless Lorre. Directing, writing and acting are all exemplary.

    Director:Don Weis
    Writer:James Gunn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 16 - Hour of Execution
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Hour of Execution

    S1:E16

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 17 - Don't Believe a Word She Says
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Don't Believe a Word She Says

    S1:E17

    No description available

    Director:Sidney Lanfield
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 18 - Laugh Till I Die
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Laugh Till I Die

    S1:E18

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 19 - Between Two Guns
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Between Two Guns

    S1:E19

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 20 - A Matter of Conscience
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - A Matter of Conscience

    S1:E20

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 21 - Melody for Murder
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Melody for Murder

    S1:E21

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 22 - Phantom Lover
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Phantom Lover

    S1:E22

    A woman believes her husband has killed her male friend, who can not be found. She hires Checkmate to investigate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Checkmate Season 1 Episode 23 - The Gift
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - The Gift

    S1:E23

    Lola Tuscany, a temperamental lady soprano, is having premonitions of her death. After her concert she is almost poisoned and Checkmate Inc. is hired to keep her safe. Don Corey is skeptical, believing it is a publicity stunt, until he is nearly killed when a bomb explodes in the car he and Lola are driving in.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"An Assassin Arrives, Andante" is the best rated episode of "Checkmate". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Tom Gries and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/21/1962. This episode scored 1.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Heart Is a Handout".