Free Chess Puzzles
Solve 480 original chess puzzles: mate in 1, mate in 2 and mate in 3. Tap or drag pieces, get hints, flip the board and let the defender reply.
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How to solve chess mate puzzles
A mate puzzle shows a position where one side can force checkmate in a set number of moves, whatever the other side does. Mate in 1 asks for a single checkmating move; mate in 2 and 3 ask for a first move that leads to mate after every defence. This collection has 160 original positions for each length, all with White to move.
- Choose Mate in 1, Mate in 2 or Mate in 3. A random puzzle from that set opens.
- Tap a white piece to see its legal moves, then tap a square, or drag the piece.
- A wrong move is not played and you can try again. A correct move is played and Black replies by itself with its toughest defence.
- Press Hint to highlight the piece to move; press it again to see the target square too.
- When you deliver mate, read the full solution and press Next puzzle. Solved puzzles are counted on this device.
How the puzzles were made and checked
Positions were made by a program that places pieces at random and keeps a position only when it is legal, White can force mate in exactly the stated number of moves and not fewer, and exactly one first move achieves it. The move generator knows every rule a mate puzzle needs, including promotion and en passant.
When you play a correct move, Black answers with the defence that delays mate the longest, so you have to see the whole idea rather than hope for a weak reply.
Which set should I start with?
Each set has 160 puzzles.
| Set | Moves to find | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mate in 1 | 1 | Beginners and warm-ups |
| Mate in 2 | 2 of yours, 1 reply | Club players and improving beginners |
| Mate in 3 | 3 of yours, 2 replies | Stronger players and calculation practice |
Useful tips and limitations
- Look at every check first, then every capture, then quiet moves that take away the king's escape squares.
- In mate in 2 and 3, a quiet first move that leaves Black without a good reply is often the answer.
- Before you move, ask what Black would do against each candidate. If every reply still loses to mate, you have found it.
Common questions
Where do these chess puzzles come from?
They are original positions found by our own search program. Each one was checked by a solver: it is legal, the shortest forced mate has exactly the stated length, and only one first move works.
What if I find a different way to mate after the first move?
Any move that still forces mate in the remaining moves is accepted. Only the first move is unique.
Can I share a chess puzzle with a friend?
Yes. Copy the link to this puzzle; it opens the same position for anyone.
Can I see the board from Black's side?
Yes. Press Flip board or F to turn the board around. White still moves first in every puzzle.
Every puzzle is made and played in your browser. Best times, scores and solved puzzles are saved only in this browser on this device; nothing is uploaded and no account is needed. Clearing site data removes them.