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.

Georg Marco vs Herbert Trenchard
In Vienna, 1898, Georg Marco faced Herbert Trenchard in a game that concluded with a swift mating net. Find the three moves that allow White to finish the game.

William Steinitz vs Henry Bird
In London 1866, the English player Henry Bird faced off against the legendary William Steinitz. Find the three-move checkmate that secured a victory for Black in this historic meeting.

John Nunn vs Miroslaw Sarwinski
During their 1987 meeting in Naleczow, John Nunn found a way to navigate the defenses of Miroslaw Sarwinski. White holds a forced mate in three to conclude the game.

Janos Balogh vs Geza Maroczy
In Gyor during 1924, Hungarian-Romanian master Janos Balogh faced Geza Maroczy in a memorable game. Find the three moves that lead to a forced mate for White.

Bogdan Lalic vs A Summerscale
In Hastings 1993, Bogdan Lalic faced A Summerscale in a game that concludes with a beautiful mating pattern. White finds a way to finish the game in just three moves.

Walter Browne vs Jaime Sunye Neto
In Linares 1994, American Grandmaster Walter Browne found a way to finish the game against Jaime Sunye Neto. Can you find the three moves that lead to checkmate?

Dimitrij Bunzmann vs Thies Heinemann
In 2007, Dimitrij Bunzmann faced Thies Heinemann in Germany in a game that led to a beautiful mate in three. See if you can find the winning finish for White.

Max Euwe vs Lohr
In Amsterdam 1923, Max Euwe faced Lohr in a game that concludes with a beautiful mating pattern. Find the three moves that secure the win for White.
Difficulty
- Easy Chess Puzzles (21)
- Moderate Chess Puzzles (78)
- Hard Chess Puzzles (31)
Mate in
Player
Recent Articles
- Chess in Georgia and Washington (May 2026)
- 2026 President’s Cup and Women’s President’s Cup: College Chess Championships
- Chess and Poker: Jennifer Shahade Returns to US Chess
- Tools of the Chess Trade
- GM Jan Timman’s Last Book
- International Chess Players in Texas
- Bobby Fischer’s Chess Queen: A Review
- 2026 Pan-Am: Missouri Schools Show Chess Prowess