how to prevent checkmates like this??

Unless of course after all that prep work you still don't manage to see it.

Oh yes don't try to scholars mate people, it won't work

Practice?

@IWANTMYMOMMY1782 it works quite well sometimes.
@clutchnutz im going to. You should play more games too
@HarryExceller thanks i will look into that line.
@Tae7 thats so vague.

@bruhmomentum2007 its called King's Pawn Game: McConnell Defense

@Jennie2


This line is probably best to look into as it prevents your queen from being attacked...

@Jennie2 More like: It Sucks But We Had To Call It Something.

@Jennie2 in the end it doesn't matter if the opening is theoretically sound, bringing your Queen out early in the game increases your chances to blunder.

Pattern recognition.

This mating combination occurs quite a lot - ie. is quite common.

The more you practice, do tactics puzzles and play, the more easily you will find it to spot and therefore either avoid or take advantage of it.

It will eventually become 2nd nature!

The same pattern is sometimes so disquised even grandmasters fall for it. Look at the following game
www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1250654