Chess puzzles: mate in 1, 2 and 3
Solve checkmate puzzles right on the site: the server checks every move, the opponent replies by itself, and an honest solution earns XP toward your level on the site. Free.
Connect your wallet to solve puzzles: the server checks your moves and adds XP to your account.
When you sign in, your wallet will ask you to confirm two things: 1) connecting to the site, 2) the sign-in signature. The signature is free and no money is spent.
Why solve chess puzzles
Checkmate puzzles are the fastest way to learn to see tactics: checks, pins and traps for the king. A puzzle takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
Every position was verified by exhaustive search: the mate really exists, and in mate-in-2 and mate-in-3 puzzles there is no shorter mate. The server checks your moves, so the solution cannot be read from the page code.
Three difficulty levels
Mate in 1
5 XPFind the one move after which the enemy king has no defence. Good for a warm-up and for beginners.
Mate in 2
15 XPA strong first move (often a check), then mate after the opponent's reply. There is no mate in 1 in the position.
Mate in 3
30 XPA sequence of forcing moves. You need to calculate the opponent's replies several moves ahead.
How it works
Sign in
Puzzles are tied to your account so the server can check moves and award XP.
Pick a level
Start with mate in 1 and move up when you solve them without mistakes.
Move on the board
Drag a piece, or tap a piece and then a square. A correct move is accepted and the opponent replies automatically.
Earn the reward
XP is awarded once per puzzle. A hint means no XP, and after three mistakes the reward is halved.
Patterns worth knowing
Back-rank mate
A rook or queen checks along the edge while the king's own pawns block its way forward.
Protected queen mate
A queen next to the king, supported by another piece, often mates: the king cannot capture it.
The ladder
Two rooks (or a queen and a rook) give checks in turn, cutting the king off rank by rank.
Smothered mate
A knight checks a king surrounded by its own pieces: there is nowhere to run, and the knight jumps over them.
FAQ
Are the chess puzzles free?
Yes. You can solve puzzles and earn XP for free; there are no stakes or payments here.
Do I need to sign in?
Yes. Signing in lets the server check your moves and add XP to your account.
How much XP does a puzzle give?
5 XP for mate in 1, 15 XP for mate in 2 and 30 XP for mate in 3. The reward is given once per puzzle.
What if I make a mistake?
The position stays the same and you can move again. After three mistakes the reward for that puzzle is halved.
How does the hint work?
The hint shows which piece to move. A puzzle solved with a hint gives no XP.
Can I solve the same puzzle again?
Yes, but XP is awarded only for the first solution. When unsolved puzzles run out, the site shows ones you have already solved.
