Mate in 3: pawn to b7 (c6)
c9-17794naming 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
20. cxb7+ Kxb7 21. Nc5+ Kc8 22. Qc6#
Why it works
- Great move! pawn to b7 keeps the pressure (#2).
- Spot on — knight to c5 (#1).
- Precise: queen to c6 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kxb7, then Nc5+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #652.
SP-652 · ThroneScout — A knight starts on the edge (a/h) and the king sits centrally on d or e; the mirror twin stays in this family too.
Explore position #652Similar puzzles
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