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 Jennifer Shahade vs Arthur Feuerstein chess puzzle

Jennifer Shahade vs Arthur Feuerstein

In Parsippany, 2002, Jennifer Shahade found a way to finish the game against Arthur Feuerstein. Can you find the three moves that lead to checkmate?

diagram of Viktor Korchnoi vs Anatoly Karpov chess puzzle

Viktor Korchnoi vs Anatoly Karpov

In the 1978 Baguio tournament, Anatoly Karpov found a way to finish the game against Viktor Korchnoi. This puzzle shows the calculated mate in three that defined their high-stakes meeting.

diagram of Levon Aronian vs Alexander Grischuk chess puzzle

Levon Aronian vs Alexander Grischuk

In this position from a Mexico City 2007 game, Levon Aronian has a mate in three against Alexander Grischuk. Hint: it involves a promotion.

diagram of Paul Motwani vs Kevin Wicker chess puzzle

Paul Motwani vs Kevin Wicker

In Southampton, 1986, Paul Motwani found a way to finish the game against Kevin Wicker. White has a mate in three to conclude this quiet affair.

diagram of Alexandra Kosteniuk vs Anna Ushenina chess puzzle

Alexandra Kosteniuk vs Anna Ushenina

Alexandra Kosteniuk found a way to finish the game against Anna Ushenina in just three moves. This puzzle captures a sharp moment from their meeting in Belarus.

diagram of Joseph Blackburne vs Smith chess puzzle

Joseph Blackburne vs Smith

In an 1882 simultaneous exhibition, Joseph Blackburne faced off against Smith. This puzzle invites you to find the mating net that Black could not escape.

diagram of Georg Marco vs Herbert Trenchard chess puzzle

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.

diagram of William Steinitz vs Henry Bird chess puzzle

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.