Mate in three is lesson 7 of 9 in Mating patterns II, a checkmate course suited to players rated around 1100 (improving players). Three-move mates: keep checking, keep the king boxed in, and count every reply. It has 6 interactive exercises: 6 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
Black to move: mate in 3. (5 positions)
White to move: mate in 3.
Worked examples
Black to move: mate in 3. 1...Rg2+ 2.Kh1 Rh2+ 3.Kg1 Rbg2#. Every move was forcing: the king never had time to escape. Mate in 3.
Black to move: mate in 3. 1...Nde5+ 2.Kg3 h4+ 3.Kh3 Nxf2#. Every move was forcing: the king never had time to escape. Mate in 3.
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