In September, the EP became the group's first album to be certified Million by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for surpassing 1,000,000 copies sold.

On June 2, 2022, JYP Entertainment announced that Itzy would be returning with new music in July, which would be followed by their first world tour in support of the release.

[5] The EP, Itzy's first new music in nine months since the release of their debut studio album Crazy in Love (2021), was announced to be entitled Checkmate with the lead single "Sneakers".

[9][10] The original digital cover for Checkmate featured a dark aura with a single chess piece in the middle.

This marked Itzy's first top-ten album and their highest position on the chart, surpassing the number 11 ranking of Crazy in Love.