Open in the app

Mate in 3: pawn to a4

c9-23127
Puzzle rating: 1630Theme: Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Solve in the app

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. bxa4+ Qb2+ 38. Rxb2+ Ka7 39. Ra5#

Why it works

  • Great move! pawn to a4 keeps the pressure (#2).
  • Well found: rook to b2 (#1).
  • Precise: rook to a5 is the top choice (#).
  • The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
  • If instead Qb2+, then Rxb2+ and you win the queen.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #655.

Explore position #655

Similar puzzles

Free, no ads · Android 8.0+ · coming soon to Google Play

Embed

Copy this code to embed the board on your site: