Chess960 puzzles: Arabian mate
Rook and knight — the oldest mate: the rook strikes next to the cornered king.
The Arabian mate is the oldest named pattern: the king is driven into the corner and the rook mates right next to it, guarded by a knight. The geometry is exact: king on h8, rook striking from h7, knight on f6 both protecting the rook and covering g8. The knight is irreplaceable — only it can guard the rook at point-blank range and hold the escape square at once. Look for the pattern when your knight is anchored two steps from the enemy corner.
34 puzzles
Mate in 2: rook to g8
Mate in 2: knight to f6
Mate in 1: rook to h2 (h5)
Mate in 2: knight to f3
Mate in 1: rook to h7 (b7)
Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e1·5)
Mate in 2: knight to f6 (h5)
Mate in 2: rook to f8 (f3·2)
Mate in 2: knight to f6 (d7)
Mate in 2: fork on f3
Mate in 2: knight to c6 (b4)
Mate in 2: queen to g8 (g4·2)
Mate in 2: knight to f6 (d7·2)
Mate in 2: bishop to h8
Mate in 2: queen to h6 (c1·5)
Mate in 2: queen to c8 (g4·3)
Winning blow: pawn to b6 (c5·9)
Mate in 3: bishop to f5
Mate in 3: rook to d7 (d2)
Mate in 3: rook to e8 (e3·2)
Mate in 3: queen to e5 (e6)
Mate in 3: rook to d7 (d1)
Mate in 3: knight to c6 (e5)
Mate in 2: knight to c6 (b4·4)
12