Mate in 3: king to c1
c9-26160Shuffle 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. Kxc1 Ka8 23. Qxc7 e5 24. Rxc8#
Why it works
- Great move! king to c1 keeps the pressure (#2).
- Spot on — queen to c7 (#1).
- Precise: rook to c8 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Ka8, then Qxc7 and you win the queen.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #259.
SP-259 · ThroneGuard — A central king (d or e) and two knights tucked onto inner files: the family that holds the standard array, SP-518.
Explore position #259Similar puzzles
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