Mate in 3 chess puzzles

Play and solve mate-in-three-moves chess puzzles. You’ll find solutions and historical details and you can play each puzzle live against the computer.

diagram of Johannes Addicks vs. Mladen Gujdev chess puzzle

Johannes Addicks vs. Mladen Gujdev

Johannes Addicks vs. Mladen Gudjev, Prague, 1931. Mate in 3. White to move.
diagram of José Capablanca vs. Gunnar Friedemann chess puzzle

José Capablanca vs. Gunnar Friedemann

Another chess puzzle. Mate in 3 with white to move. José Capablanca vs. Gunnar Friedemann, Cuernavaca, 1933.
diagram of Varuzhan Akobian vs. Blas Lugo chess puzzle

Varuzhan Akobian vs. Blas Lugo

Varuzhan Akobian vs. Blas Lugo, Minneapolis, 2005. Mate in 3. White to move.
diagram of Magnus Carlsen vs. Hans Harestad chess puzzle

Magnus Carlsen vs. Hans Harestad

A puzzle from this century’s chess master: Magnus Carlsen vs. Hans Harestad, Copenhagen, 2003. Mate in 3. White to move.
diagram of Alexander Alekhine vs. Frieman chess puzzle

Alexander Alekhine vs. Frieman

This chess puzzle shows the challenge between Alexander Alekhine and Abraham Frieman, New York, 1924. Alekhine wins in 3 playing white.
diagram of John Emms vs. Albert Blees chess puzzle

John Emms vs. Albert Blees

Medium difficulty puzzle – mate in 3, White to move.
diagram of Pilotelle vs. Vernay chess puzzle

Pilotelle vs. Vernay

Medium difficulty puzzle. White to move and mate in 3
diagram of For Beginners: Mate in Three chess puzzle

For Beginners: Mate in Three

Here’s a pretty simple chess puzzle to get you warmed up. White to play and mate in three