Calculate a forced checkmate in three moves.
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Want to go deeper? Thinking Three Moves Ahead in the Mate in 3 Puzzle
Three-move forced mate
White plays three moves and Black plays two. The solution must force checkmate on move 3 regardless of Black’s best defense.
Start with the key move
The first move creates a threat Black cannot fully neutralise — often improving a piece, opening a line, or setting up a mating net.
Read Black’s defenses
After each White move, consider every Black reply. Your plan must account for all of them and still deliver checkmate on move 3.
Calculate, don’t guess
Mate in 3 requires accurate calculation. Work through the main lines methodically — a single oversight lets Black escape.