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

Smells like baby powder but in a good way? Opens with sexy champagne but quickly dries down into this powdery rose and patchouli scent.

Testing this blind from the discovery set, its opening was a fresh, floral bouquet with a young and innocent rose element (um, at first), then the more it dries down over 30 plus minutes it seems to slowly become more mature and bigger and more classic powdery rose. Several hours later it is unapologetically present. An arguably classic feminine scent in my view and I feel like I've smelled this many times before at events where variations on a similar theme are swirling in the air of outdoor weddings or galas where most are too conservative to try something more risky and uncommon. Here, the davana, red current, and moss characterize the rose along with the pachouli with a slight bitter lean, but it's really powdery rose. The champagne doesn't really seem apparent and I get no tobacco whatsoever. So, I guess if you're looking for that smack-in-your-face powdery rose, this is one of many choices, so I guess it comes down to that particular minute character and not the general direction.

Very bright, sparkling, vibrant opening note that's truly amazing. Alas, this note lasts for maybe 20 seconds, then it just turns to an "old folks' rose garden" note. A few minutes later, the rose mellows out a bit and the fragrance becomes more balanced. That said, I have no clue how the Bow Tie Fragrance Guy and others think this leans masculine. 6/10 overall. If they could sustain that opening note and have it linger more in the dry down, it would be a 9+. Perhaps my nose is broken; perhaps my sense of smell is compromised by this thick Miami humidity - not sure. All I know is I had such high hopes when that opening note hit, and then....I got hit in the face with a rose bouquet from Publix.

Very bright, sparkling, vibrant opening note that's truly amazing. Alas, this note lasts for maybe 20 seconds, then it just turns to an "old folks' rose garden" note. A few minutes later, the rose mellows out and the fragrance becomes more balanced. That said, I have no clue how the Bow Tie Fragrance Guy or others thinks this leans masculine. 6/10 overall. If they could sustain that opening note and have it linger more in the dry down, it would be a 9+.

For the most part, I love Mind Games fragrances. This is not one of them. It is heavy on the roses and I mean HEAVY. I tested this as my night fragrance and woke up in the middle of a night with a headache. It’s not bouquet of roses rosie, but perfume to the max rose. I’m not a fan of patchouli at all, but I can’t even smell it in this. I’m not big on florals, but can do them when they are not overpowering. Longevity is Great and Sillage is Great.

Smells like the duas brand- DUA Dude. Very unisex but would suit a woman better. Mildly sweet fresh rose anchored by tobacco & moss. Very nice actually, couldn’t see myself wearing this anywhere other than around the house for my own pleasure.

Not my scent, this is very much a signature scent for someone. Mature, feminine smell. Not flirty, but confident. Rose heavy, with hints of red fruit and powder. Not much smoke on me.

I liked it on paper and hated it on skin. Two completely different scents. The tobacco was too much on me. The berries are nice

Red currant, davana and rose. It is okay, but there are better options from this brand.

I love tobacco fragrances so, really, I bought some samples of this because of the champagne and tobacco notes...unfortunately, I really got a HUGE hit of rose and patchouli here. Rose is my least favorite floral and I have yet to meet a rose-heavy perfume I like (I keep trying off and on, though). Patchouli also goes quite sour on my skin most of the time so this is a huge no for me. Smelled like a rose that had been laid out in a damp cemetery to decay - going very sour and slightly earthy over time. There is a green fresh note here I like, but it can't tamp down the fact that I get weird funeral home vibes here (but, often the case with rose perfumes for me). I think if this had been more tobacco-heavy, that tobacco sweetness could have softened this effect some. Unfortunately, I never got tobacco here and got nothing else but soured rose. For me, a 3/10.

the other reviews are spot-on. Amazing in the opening, sexy santal unisex, but then immediately turns into geriatric prostitute

The bottle says tabac, bourbon, and santal. But bourbon and santal (sandalwood) aren't listed here. Bourbon is included on the Mind Games website notes. What are the real notes? So even though I don't know the notes, I love Checkmate. The opening quotes Portrait of a Lady for certain, but the roses back off after about five minutes. I think I smell davana since there is a bright aromatic green heart note unfamiliar to me. Beyond that, the notes meld into a beautiful accord. I can't keep my nose off my arm, and every time I sniff this is just a little different. Sweet tobacco and a burnt tar smell come out after about 20 minutes. Or maybe it's the sandalwood playing MIND GAMES on me. That's the best part. Checkmate is actually worth the $345. Has potential to be a classic.

Continuing to work my way thru the sample pack, Checkmate is interesting in that three sprays on the back of my hand reveal a feminine leaning, heavily floral fragrance when held up to my nose. Not a fan. However, resting in my lap or at my side, it leans more masculine with a creamy tobacco and patchouli and a very subtle but noticeable rose. There is also a faint bourbon vanilla vibe. Smells amazing at arms length, which I hope is what someone sitting next to me would smell. I consider myself an enthusiast but not a collector. I actively wear all of my fragrances with a specific mindset for each. So far, with the Mind Games collection, I’m wondering if I would like Checkmate as much if the bottling were simplistic and came in something like Givenchy Gentleman.

For people saying it's a clone or the same thing as POAL please stop. I actually have & wear a lot of POAL. These 2 fragrances are not the same lol. The closest I can say this fragrance is to POAL is maybe 50-60% at most. POAL has those distinctive raspberry ketones which gives it that fruity not too sweet smell. Also you can definitely smell the cloves that this fragrance doesn't have. POAL makes me think of a Rise potpourri. If you smell them side by side you can tell that these 2 are not similar at all.

I finally figured it out!!! This is like Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Femme and Gucci Guilty Oud. Also some minor Dior Rouge Trafalgar and POAL vibes. But really, this is a clone of those Gucci fragrances. Waaay overpriced, just get one of the Guccis Edit: I only get the Gucci comparison on paper. On skin, this is a warm and jammy rose with wood and patchouli. Pretty unisex, and a solid release. I will need to test it more.

I couldn't think of what the resemblance was and after the initial spray, I didn't get any Portrait of a Lady (POAL) comparison either. I did however, after a few moments, think that this was very similar to Rose Atomic by Initio IMHO (I do have both of the aforementioned fragrances). A great fragrance, however not sure if you need both in the wardrobe if you are after that sweet rose, fresh musk combination.

Smells like POL and Chanel 5. It has some aldehydes and oakmoss with the bitter uber floral roses from the past (not like the new rose accords in Delina and cia), and then the patchouli. I don’t like this... and it lasts. Why would they call it checkmate, btw? It’s for women, like female mummies. If the oldest prostutite in the world was revived, she’d smell like this Portrait of an old Lady

I agree with everyone here that says this smells like POAL, which I own. Very slight differences if I’m being honest. I think it’s the rose types used that make it so similar. For those saying this “smells absolutely nothing like POAL” your nose just might not be developed enough to spot the similarities. Could be that simple! 🧐

Girly... very girly. Smells heavily of rose and patchouli. Giving more “Queens Gambit” energy than “Checkmate”... I don’t think I like it much... it’s not really my vibe, but I suspect your mother or grandmother would probably enjoy it if they are down with some Patchouli funk.

Fruity sparkling rose with patchouli and moss (moss it not throwing me off). Rose is not sweet, but fruity-fresh. It's nice blended fragrance, but patchouli note is too overpowering to me. Pass for me.

Opens masculine like a rosey, vanillic Tuscan Leather, dries down feminine with a familiarity to POAL. The majority of the wear leans feminine, so it will have to be a pass for me

Normally I hate rose.. but this is an exception. From first sniff i could detect the rose however it pairs well wit the champaca further enhancing the boozy accord leans fem

This reminds me of Portrait of A Lady. Perhaps a little lighter, but definitely a beautiful fragrance. The price is considerably high, but the quality is there.

As pretty as it is on paper, on my skin this turned very sour unfortunately. I'm sure it must be very nice on the right person, but that person isn't me.

Hmmm... I don’t really get the rose very much at all. I get earthy patchouli and tobacco. Oddly, this reminds me of Bottega Veneta parfum for women. Meh.

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The best perfume I ever bought is the ones that are made with the most natural and most love made and this one is. The best example

Champagne note lasts for all of 8.5 seconds and then it turns into old people smell tobacco and rose ? who tf paying 400 for this

Why does the card that came with blockade describe checkmate as Tabac Bourbon Santal?

Terrific scent but lasting power is horrific. $375? No.