Mate in 3: queen to d4 (a1)
c9-18136naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 1630Theme: 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
22. Qxd4+ Kxb5 23. Qc4+ Ka4 24. Ra1#
Why it works
- Great move! queen to d4 keeps the pressure (#2).
- Spot on — queen to c4 (#1).
- Precise: rook to a1 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kxb5, then Qc4+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #591.
SP-591 · 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 #591Similar puzzles
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