The Checkmate Four (チェックメイト・フォー Chekkumeito Fō) are the four most powerful members of the Fangire race, each bearing a tattoo of the chess piece they are named after. These four Fangires receive the titles of Rook (ルーク Rūk) the hunter, Bishop (ビショップ Bishoppu) the keeper of Fangire laws, and Queen (クイーン Kuīn) & King (キング Kingu), the rulers of Fangires. In 1986, the Checkmate Four were based in Castle Doran. By 2008, only Bishop and Rook remained as they recruit a new Queen and King.