Mate in 3: rook to a8 (a7)
c9-24095naming 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
37. Ra8+ Kd7 38. Rxd8+ Kc7 39. Ra7#
Why it works
- Best move. rook to a8 is exactly what the engine plays (#2).
- Spot on — rook to d8 (#1).
- Strong! rook to a7 is the sharp choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kd7, then Rxd8+ and you win the rook.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #531.
SP-531 · 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 #531Similar puzzles
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