Mate in 3: queen to a8 (e4·3)
c9-15275naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 1760Theme: 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
20. Qa8+ Kd7 21. Qb7+ Kd8 22. Qc7#
Why it works
- Great move! queen to a8 keeps the pressure (#2).
- Well found: queen to b7 (#1).
- Precise: queen to c7 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kd7, then Qb7+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #303.
SP-303 · ThroneGuard — Both knights start on inner files (b–g) while the king sits centrally on d or e — one of 204 positions filed here.
Explore position #303Similar puzzles
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