Mate in 3: rook to a7 (a8·4)
c9-17886naming 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
26. Ra7+ Kd8 27. Be6 Rf8 28. Rc8#
Why it works
- Best move. rook to a7 is exactly what the engine plays (#2).
- bishop to e6 develops smoothly.
- Precise: rook to c8 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kd8, then Be6 and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #142.
SP-142 · 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 #142Similar puzzles
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