Checkmating -- Is This Usage Exceptional?

[Doug Harris]

A caption in Monday NYT:

Soldiers grieved together after the memorial service for Sergeant Sebban. In
the military, "cultural norms, if you will, checkmate a lot of guys from
healthy grieving," said Major Fenton. "One of the jobs I have is to give
them permission to do that."

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His meaning is obvious, but the usage struck me as a bit odd. Is this,
perhaps, simply a military-speak coinage with which I am unfamiliar?

(the other) doug

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