Checkmate

Very grown and sexy fragrance. You can't wear this and look like you've never smoked before. Feels like it was made for the late 20s+ crowd, but definitely still able to be rocked by someone in their mid or early 20s depending on their energy. Nothing inherently sets the "age range" outside of your ability to rock rose and tobacco. And no, this is NOT that grandma rose whatsoever. It's fresh, aromatic rose. Doesn't directly scream "rose" to me despite being VERY rose forward due to the blend of all the other notes. It's starting to as I type and keep smelling it though lol. Somewhat feels like their response to YSL Tuxedo or at least that vain of fragrance. That one has no actual tobacco in it but the smoked patchouli is so clean and smokey, it's reminiscent of a cigar. This is very very rosey, backed up by that champagne and tobacco very well. Quite addictive, the blend is superb. It all wraps into more of a chocolatey kind of accord than separate notes, but you can still see where each note has its place within the accord. Does not smell like chocolate, please don't misunderstand, but the accord is sweet and has depth in a way that's reminiscent to chocolate. I guess you could say it has a gourmand feel about it. Deep enough of a fragrance to project in the winter, but not too deep to be cloying in the summer. Glad I have plenty to play with because I keep going back to it like I did when I first got Tuxedo. Probably layer really well together. I got this and blockade as samples of choice and I can't lie, this is taking the cake. If you're interested in this scent, I recommend taking advantage of (that feathered fragrance subscription we all know)'s 50% off first month special so you get a 10ml to play with at a really good price. They make cancelling difficult but contacting them on instagram is apparently the best way to get it handled quickly.

I am wearing a sample of this perfume and it smells so pretty. Very rose dominant . The longevity is out of this world. The projection is strong for the first four hours and then becomes moderate. I put the sample in my top drawer and when I opened my drawer today the smell from that sample was so strong. I absolutely love it. It gives me vibes of the perfume Stella in the dark purple bottle. This perfume isn’t anything new smelling but it’s very nicely done. This to me is a good night time going out scent or a Fall daytime scent when the weather is slightly chilly.

Apple Candy Goodness. Checkmate is one that caught me by surprise when my girlfriend has got this one for me as a sample, and I didn't think it would have the effect that it did. This one immediately gave off the vibe of some apple rose candy when it hit my nose. It's definitely one of the more playful fragrances you could wear out on a warm day, or possibly one of the ones you can have on a close encounter. The Champagne note on this one gives it a sweet vibe before the rose comes in and eases it down; but she can't stop sniffing this one and I can't either. 9/10.

If you have ever smelled a rose, it smells exactly like that. A luxurious Old World rose. I can see some people thinking it smells too vintage, but I really really like it. I'm 22 years old and would totally rock this. It's a timeless elegant scent. Addendum: I don't think I sprayed enough to get the full effect last time. This time I definitely got more of the champagne and some tobacco. Insane! This house has not missed! Absolutely love! This and Blockade for spring and summer, Double Attack for fall and winter.

On this 84F, low humidity Spring day, Checkmate is a gorgeous bubbly effervescent champagne on my skin. My favorite of the Mind Game fragrances that I sampled. Signature type scent. Lasts all day and dried down to a warm but bright rose. Indeed the dry down does give a similar feel as Sisley Izia La Nuit but not the same of course. Some elements of Cartier La Panthere. The Mind Game perfumes are very unique and generally unisex. I can't wait to explore them further.

This is so pretty. The champagne comes through immediately. Then there's lots of pretty rose. The base is what makes this special though. The base and that fizzy champagne note. It's feminine, not too young but not mature either. It could be worn anytime but I love this as a special occasion scent. The champagne really takes it there for me. A garden party wedding guest scent perhaps. It would be beautiful on a bride.

This one is amazing to me. It's definitely unisex. On me it's beast mode longevity (12+ hours) and it projects for quite a long time. I get the champagne, roses, and the patchouli and oakmoss, with a hint of tobacco. I don't normally like Rose fragrances, but somehow this one works for me. It's a really addictive smell. 10/10l.

An effervescent, sophisticated scent. I recently wore this to a tropical beach wedding and couldn't get enough of it. It seems to carry well in both cool and warm temps. It can still be smelt on my clothing after 7 days.

Champagne, glamour, Gatsby vibe.Excellent longevity and silage.Retro quality with modern chic.Can’t even compare it with anything.Very stylish and elegant.

I am testing this right now and it reminds me of one of my favorite perfumes MFK Oud Satin Mood along with similarities to POAL. I do love this

I often wonder if people here reviewing fragrances are heavily cigarette smokers. no way this smell like POAL. smh😒 8/10. A must have!

Excellent parfum. I am constantly told that this is a distinctive smelling parfum.

This parfum shouts opulence! It’s a man’s parfum for sure. Very distinctive.

It's beautiful, but too gottdang expensive 💔

I have drastically changed my opinion about this perfume once it sat on my vanity for two weeks. Now I can’t tell it lasts at least 5-6 hours. Projection is hand length. Now about perfume composition - it’s beautiful. It has similarities with MFK Oud Satin Mood but it’s way better, more refined and has more notes that make it multidimensional. It opens up with sparkling champagne, rose and tobacco. I can pick up slight berry and green notes on background. As it dries down rose becomes more powdery and sweet...Tobacco remains as major role in this play. I can also very clearly sense patchouli and miss but not dirty smelling for sure, very smooth and earthy... This fragrance is worth its price! Can be worn by either men or women, for many occasions.

This is compared to portrait of a lady? I haven't spent much time with Poal recently , and maybe I need to smell it again, but this didn't remind me of that perfume. On the bottle itself, it says tobacco and bourbon but those are not the main players, roses and patchouli are the headliners - mostly rose I'd say. The perfume isn't bad, but my problem with this house is that not a single fragrance (I have tried them all including the newly released) is a show stopper. I think Ruy Lopez is very good, but in general, they lack "wow" factor. This is not a bad perfume, but I don't feel like this or any of them are calling my name. -------------------------------------------------------- Scent 6.9/10 Performance 7/10

This opens with a blast of champagne as the description says, but carries a sort of “mall-chic” but rich perfume/cologne smell that feels fresh and contemporary. As it hangs on my skin, it settles into a really beautiful rose-santal scent. I appreciate its ability to blend something of an old school rose note with the newer sandalwood thing that can still feel immensely wearable and genderless. I think it’s cool that rose can have so many updates without feeling so tired as a decades-old accord, while the sandalwood usually feels played out these days. Together, in this, I give them an A+.

Mild rose, mildly boozy, sparkling citrus mixer. Green nuance. Sophisticated. Unisex. Feminine lean if you’re looking for it. Undetectable tobacco. Would appreciate a stronger tobacco note to rein in the fragrance.

I felt ambiguous about this scent, and then got a compliment from a neighbour as we were standing outside that it was a glamorous, mysterious sophisticated scent. May need to buy a bottle!

i found it to be a very unisex rose patchouli strong great sillage not my scent profile but still great dont get it if your looking for a very feminine fragrance 8/10 frag