Mate in 3: queen to a7 (a5·3)
c9-19181naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 1990Theme: 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. Qa7+ Kxc8 24. Qa8+ Kd7 25. Qd8#
Why it works
- Great move! queen to a7 keeps the pressure (#2).
- Well found: queen to a8 (#1).
- Precise: queen to d8 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kxc8, then Qa8+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #823.
SP-823 · RampartGuard — The king starts out on a wing file, b or g, with neither knight in a corner.
Explore position #823Similar puzzles
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