Mate in 3: queen to e8 (c8·5)
c9-14838naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 1980Theme: Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
White to move — find the best continuation
The tactical motive
Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
White to move — find the best continuation
Solution & explanation
Main line
23. Qe8+ Kc5 24. Qb5+ Kd4 25. Rb4#
Why it works
- Great move! queen to e8 keeps the pressure (#2).
- Spot on — queen to b5 (#1).
- Precise: rook to b4 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kc5, then Qb5+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #299.
SP-299 · ThroneGuard — King home on d or e, knights kept off the a- and h-files — the family of the standard starting array.
Explore position #299Similar puzzles
Free, no ads · Android 8.0+ · coming soon to Google Play