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Mate in 3: knight to c8 (b6)

Shuffle Rating 1760Theme: 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

38. Nc8+ Ka8 39. Qb6 Qxh2 40. Qa7#

Why it works

  • Great move! knight to c8 keeps the pressure (#2).
  • queen to b6 develops smoothly.
  • Precise: queen to a7 is the top choice (#).
  • The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
  • If instead Ka8, then Qb6 and you stay on top.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #955.

SP-955 · RampartGuard — The king starts out on a wing file, b or g, with neither knight in a corner.

Explore position #955

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