MIND GAMES 2022 Extrait

U ££££ Acquired

Checkmate

by David Apel

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MIND GAMES Checkmate is an Extrait de Parfum launched in 2022, created by David Apel. Checkmate opens with Red Currant, Davana, and Boozy Notes, settles into a heart of Rose, Magnolia, and Grasse Rose Absolute, and dries down to a base of Patchouli, Tobacco, and Moss. MIND GAMES's Checkmate carries an Acquired verdict, a fruity-led wear.

Checkmate is a beautifully divisive fragrance, drawing comparisons to a classic while forging its own path. Love it or hate it, this rosy chypre has a serious presence and demands attention.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Sophisticated
  • Bold
  • Luxurious
  • Modern
  • Elegant
$395.00 at Intense Oud 3.4 fl oz (100 ml) · plus sales tax Check price on → Check prices ↓
Checkmate Extrait bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

ScentArt

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Strong

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer Fall Winter

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Casual

Its long-lasting nature and moderate sillage make it a strong contender for special occasions and dates. While versatile enough for casual wear, its bold character might be too much for an office setting.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

  • Geraniol from Rose
  • Oakmoss Evernia prunastri extract from Moss

Other declarable allergens

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

An initial fizz of red currant and davana delivers a bright, boozy sparkle, quickly giving way to a rich heart of multiple rose facets, some say powdery, others fresh and vibrant. As it settles, a grounding base of earthy patchouli and moss emerges, intertwined with a subtle, herbaceous tobacco, creating a complex, evolving scent journey that balances brightness with depth.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once: the blends worth trying, how each one scores and where to spray See what layers well

Complement

Two people, two scents: what sits well beside it when you each wear your own See what pairs well

Where to buy

Prices for the United States · · checked 8 October

Prices before sales tax, which the shop adds at checkout.

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.