Open in the app

Mate in 3: queen to a4 (f4)

c9-23990
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

28. Qa4+ Kb6 29. Qb5+ Kc7 30. Qb7#

Why it works

  • Great move! queen to a4 keeps the pressure (#2).
  • Well found: queen to b5 (#1).
  • Strong! queen to b7 is the sharp choice (#).
  • The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
  • If instead Kb6, then Qb5+ and you stay on top.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #537.

Explore position #537

Similar puzzles

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

Embed

Copy this code to embed the board on your site: