Remember that scene (FROM TV) where the main characters chat over the chessboard and then one gets checkmated just before the scene ends? Can I use this formula in my script and still respect myself in the morning?
Nope, because you already don't respect the idea of using it. If you end up going with the scene, you'll only remove it later.
Save yourself the grief and look for something else.
Just so long as you don't have the following sequence.
Player A: {Clever statements} Check.
Player B: {Cleverer Statements} Checkmate.
This never ever happens.
More seriously, if you do use the standard checkmate trope what you are showing is that your players are not that good. Games between really good players are rarely played out to mate. Usually if one player gains enough of an advantage the other player resigns.
..game becomes more furious, subsequently ending in stalemate, or a board flip, or a fist fight (just something more interesting than checkmate)