Checkmate has been a very popular WordPress theme with thousands of users worldwide. Now it is has been made even better. I’ve learned a thing or two from the users of Checkmate, listened to the feature requests and I’ve decided it is time to release Checkmate 2.0. Checkmate 2.0 is built on the original version of Checkmate, but could almost be considered a completely new theme.

The interface has gotten a huge and much needed update. The layout is still simple and clean but now is more polished and modern. Customizing the CSS and the look of theme is even better, the entire site was coded with the end user customizing the site in mind.

Download Checkmate 2.0

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Theme Options

There has been a total redesign of the theme options page, and also new theme options to make customizing Checkmate even easier. Checkmate 2.0 has the ability to automatically detect uploads for CSS, logos, and backgrounds, which can easily be changed via the theme options page.

Layout Options

I mentioned the layout has been updated, well now it is also more flexible. Several users wanted a true 3 column layout(columns on each side of the content), now this is possible along with a single right column, a split right column, or a combo right column. All this is controlled using theme options and widget areas, no code editing!

Ad Management

Ad management remains in Checkmate 2.0 unchanged. It is the same simple and flexible widget and theme options combination which gives you a quick and easy way to get ads on your theme.

Support

Support for Checkmate has always been a strong point and something I’ve strove to provide the best support a free theme offers. Alas WordPress comments and email aren’t the best solution, so all support will now be handled via Tender. Where you can ask questions, read documentation, and contribute to discussions.

Features

Checkmate already had a big feature list, now it is even bigger:

  • Optional background header images controlled by theme options and uploads are automatically detected
  • User defined style sheets, easily changed and uploads are automatically detected
  • Auto detected logo controlled through theme options
  • Optional featured categories
  • Feedburner integration
  • Drop down Page menu, with theme options to control which Pages show in the menu
  • Optional footer widget areas
  • Option to use Checkmate’s previous rounded corner look
  • Ability to insert code or content into the header, after a post, or footer, without editing theme files
  • Ad management
  • Checkmate comes with 4 color themes for you to build on: grey, brown, cake, and dark.
  • Custom widgets built for Checkmate.
  • Tabbed Content Box – widget enabled
  • Two, Three, or Split Column Design
  • Feedburner Integration
  • Optional Widget enabled footer
  • Custom Icons
  • Gravatar support for authors and comments(WordPress 2.5)
  • Custom author, archive, tag, category, and search pages.
  • Widget Enabled Sidebars

Updates

  • Version 2.0.1
    • Updated for WordPress 2.7
    • Threaded Comments Enabled
    • Utilizes post_class()
    • Automatically Checks for Updates
  • Version 2.0.2
    • Trackbacks/pingbacks style change, automatically hidden
    • Comments navigation for 2.7 fixed
    • Upgraded theme to use jQuery 1.3
    • disabled auto check for update for now due to server load
  • Version 2.0.3
    • Added Localization
    • Changed title structure for single post pages
  • Version 2.0.4
    • Converted widgets to 2.8 API
    • Fixed bugs in widgets

License

Checkmate is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. All I ask is that you link back to my website somewhere in your site.

Really Like It?

If you really like this theme and would like updates, more features, and new styles, why not grease the wheel and make a donation?