Mate in 3: queen to a5 (d2·6)
c9-17219naming 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. Qa5+ Kd7 24. Qc7+ Ke6 25. Nf4#
Why it works
- Great move! queen to a5 keeps the pressure (#2).
- Well found: queen to c7 (#1).
- Precise: knight to f4 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kd7, then Qc7+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #867.
SP-867 · 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 #867Similar puzzles
Free, no ads · Android 8.0+ · coming soon to Google Play