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Mate in 3: rook to a7 (a3)

Shuffle Rating 1980Theme: Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
White to move — find the best continuation

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The tactical motive

Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.

White to move — find the best continuation

Solution & explanation

Main line

32. Ra7+ Kc8 33. Qxd6 Ne7 34. Qc7#

Why it works

  • Best move. rook to a7 is exactly what the engine plays (#2).
  • Spot on — queen to d6 (#1).
  • Precise: queen to c7 is the top choice (#).
  • The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
  • If instead Kc8, then Qxd6 and you win the queen.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #685.

SP-685 · BastionGuard — The king starts one file off-centre, on c or f, with neither knight in a corner.

Explore position #685

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