Chess960 puzzles: Smothered mate
The king is buried under its own pieces — only a knight can reach it.
The smothered mate suffocates a king buried under its own army: every neighboring square is blocked by friendly pieces, and the knight — needing no open lines — delivers the blow. The classic mechanism: knight check, king hides in the corner, a queen sacrifice forces a rook to plug the last hole, and the knight mates. Look for a cornered king surrounded by its own pieces and a knight one hop away. Do not mourn the queen — she only opens the door.
166 puzzles
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·2)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·2)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·2)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·3)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (f5)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·4)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·5)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·7)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (h5)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·3)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·8)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·9)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·3)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (f5)