Who’s Who In DCU’s Checkmate? The 11th Street Kids’ New Roles, Explained

Wow, Season 2 ended with a real tease! I was expecting a big showdown between A.R.G.U.S. and the 11th Street Kids, but instead, they introduced this new group, Checkmate. Apparently, they’re a super important covert ops team and are going to play a big role going forward. I know from the comics that Checkmate is basically a government spy agency run by Amanda Waller, and while this DCU version isn’t *exactly* government-run, it sounds like they’ll operate similarly – especially with that cool chess-based ranking system!

Checkmate members are each designated a chess piece, which determines their role on missions. Kings and Queens act as leaders, Rooks handle planning, Knights carry out the missions, Bishops provide support and observation, and Pawns offer general assistance. Members designated as black pieces focus on operations, while white pieces handle intelligence gathering. Within the DC Universe, any Checkmate member could potentially fill these roles based on their individual skills and abilities.

Langston Fleury/Black Bishop Didn’t Like Flag’s Unnecessary Violence

Langston Fleury recently became an ally to the 11th Street Kids and joined Checkmate sometime after Rick Flag Sr. While the show doesn’t explain exactly when or how, he’s shown as part of the team at the end. Earlier, Fleury expressed disapproval of Flag’s methods when he confronted Peacemaker during interrogation, making it clear he opposes corrupt behavior from people in power.

Throughout the series, Fleury wasn’t directly involved in combat, but A.R.G.U.S. clearly relied on him to monitor Peacemaker, which led them to assign him the task of checking in on John Economos. This meant Fleury was still actively working outside the office, even if he wasn’t fighting. Because of this, many believe he’s poised to become Checkmate’s Black Bishop. While Fleury is a bit of a quirky character, he seems genuinely well-intentioned. Some fans speculate he might actually be a shapeshifting alien, but it’s too early to know for sure.

John Economos/White Bishop Is The Team’s Tech Guy

John Economos started working for A.R.G.U.S. after impressively hacking into the CIA at just 14 years old. They recruited him to avoid legal trouble, and he felt obligated to accept. While he doesn’t enjoy the dangerous nature of the work, he’s more willing to take risks to help his friends, the 11th Street Kids, than he ever was for A.R.G.U.S. or the CIA. Ultimately, he values his friends far more than his employers.

Economos isn’t very confident and tends to avoid danger, but he’s exceptionally intelligent. That’s why A.R.G.U.S. employed him and tolerated his flaws, including his tendency to not be fully committed to them. His tech skills are a major benefit to Checkmate, and he’ll be their lead intelligence analyst – much like he was for the 11th Street Kid. He’s best suited to be Checkmate’s ‘White Bishop’ – a behind-the-scenes intelligence expert who prefers to avoid direct conflict.

Judomaster/Black Knight Had A Big Redemption In The Second Season

During the first season of *Peacemaker*, Judomaster was initially an antagonist for the 11th Street Kids, and it seemed like he’d remain an enemy. However, by the end of the season, he had a change of heart. He eventually recognized the team was more effective than A.R.G.U.S. and decided to join forces with them, especially after connecting with Adebayo over their similar experiences.

Just like with Fleury, the show didn’t *show* us exactly when Judomaster signed on with Checkmate, but we definitely saw him hanging with the team at the end. It’s pretty clear he doesn’t approve of what Flag’s doing to the metahumans, either. Beyond the dry wit, Judomaster’s a serious fighter. He’s an amazing martial artist, and I get the feeling he’s going to be Checkmate’s powerhouse – the guy they send in when they need a real threat to take care of things.

Vigilante/White Knight Surprisingly Shines In All Areas of Vigilantism

Adrian is a hilarious character known for his oddball remarks, which lead many to underestimate him as a vigilante. But despite not being taken seriously, he’s surprisingly capable. He’s far from unintelligent and excels in combat, stealth, and other superhero skills. In fact, his willingness to do whatever it takes – even kill – makes him a remarkably effective operative.

Adrian is a natural fit for Checkmate as a Knight, given his skills as a vigilante. Though he doesn’t excel at strategy, he’s quick to follow instructions, making him perfect for carrying out missions. He’s already proven himself as a capable Checkmate operative, and his work as Vigilante demonstrates he can also handle sensitive intelligence as a White Knight.

Sasha Bordeaux/White Rook is the Only Metahuman on the Team

Sasha Bordeaux and Rick Flag Sr. were close colleagues for a time, and their relationship became romantic. Some viewers suspected Sasha might turn against him, but that didn’t happen. Instead, her trust in him vanished when she discovered his plan as head of A.R.G.U.S.: to banish metahumans to another dimension. This betrayal hit home for Sasha, as she herself is a metahuman – a cyborg.

Beyond her powers, Bordeaux has a strong background in strategy and leadership. Her experience with A.R.G.U.S., particularly leading Rick Flag’s team, suggests she’ll be the team’s strategist, responsible for analyzing information and planning missions. She’ll likely focus on creating assignments, especially for reconnaissance and scouting. While fans might enjoy seeing her in action and learning more about her abilities, Bordeaux seems most drawn to the planning and management side of the work.

Peacemaker/Black Rook Is A Master Strategist and Skilled Operative

Peacemaker, whose real name is Christopher Smith, isn’t a superhero with powers, but he’s exceptionally skilled in fighting, shooting, and staying hidden. While he doesn’t have superhuman abilities, he’s in incredible physical condition and, more importantly, has an unwavering determination. This combination makes him a natural on the battlefield, even though he isn’t particularly intelligent. Because of this, he’s not the best choice to lead the team, despite being the main character, but he still has a valuable role to play.

Peacemaker might not always be the quickest thinker, but he’s far more than just brute strength. He’s a highly skilled fighter and a surprisingly effective strategist, so it’s a mistake to underestimate him. While he lacks formal education, he’s incredibly resourceful and quick on his feet. He excels at stealth, evasion, and turning the tables on his opponents. These skills make him ideally suited to be a Black Rook – someone who thrives in direct action. He’s not a planner who prefers to stay behind the scenes, but he *can* formulate and lead missions right from the front lines.

Emilia Harcourt/Black Queen Has Tons of Experience In The Battlefield

Harcourt is the most seasoned member of the 11th Street Kids. She’d already worked for A.R.G.U.S. for some time when *Peacemaker* started, and her job is clearly her biggest passion and what gives her purpose. Losing that purpose really affected her. Being a government agent has defined Emilia’s life, and she’s incredibly experienced in the field.

Emilia consistently demonstrated her skills as a top agent – she was a sharpshooter, highly skilled in martial arts, and incredibly quick on her feet. Her confidence in combat was so strong she’d even start fights just for the thrill of it. While she seems perfect for the role of Knight, her true potential lies as the Black Queen. Though she’s never led a team before, Emilia possesses the intelligence and strategic ability to become an exceptional leader, capable of expertly organizing her team for challenging missions.

Leota Adebayo/White Queen Has Raw Talent

Leota originally dreamed of opening a pet store with Keeya, but her experience working at A.R.G.U.S. changed her career goals. She discovered a passion for security and intelligence, and now, through Checkmate, she’s pursuing that path. Though it meant losing her relationship with Keeya, the story shows she’s truly happy with this new direction in life.

Amanda Waller’s mother recognized her potential, believing she’d be invaluable anywhere. While she might not be a skilled shooter, she’s a natural leader and brilliant strategist – the emotional core of the team. She excels at building trust and connecting with others, making her ideal for the role of White Queen. She’s best suited to lead Checkmate from behind the scenes, working alongside Emilia Harcourt to oversee the entire operation rather than engaging in field work.

2025-10-14 03:12