Mate in 3: queen to a8 (b7·2)
c9-18065naming 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
19. Qxa8+ Bb8 20. Qxb8+ Ke7 21. Rxd7#
Why it works
- Great move! queen to a8 keeps the pressure (#2).
- Spot on — queen to b8 (#1).
- Precise: rook to d7 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Bb8, then Qxb8+ and you win the rook.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #558.
SP-558 · BastionGuard — King off-centre on c or f with both knights on inner files.
Explore position #558Similar puzzles
Free, no ads · Android 8.0+ · coming soon to Google Play