ArcaMax

Register for your free account:

Subscribe to any feature and receive your newsletter directly in your inbox.
Easy email subscription management.
Claim your rewards from the Reader Perks section!

White to Play

Pete Tamburro on Mar 18, 2026

A mate in three. I was reminded of the Star Wars line, “It’s a trap! It’s a trap!”

A composition by Cheron 1.Nf5 Bxh8 1...Be1 2.Bg7+ Bc3 3.Bxc3# or 1...Bb2 2.Bg7 Bd4 3.Rh1# 2.Ng7 Bxg7 3.Bxg7 mate

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.

More Chess Puzzles

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / March 16, 2026

Does White win, lose or draw this position?

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / March 12, 2026

Composed problems like this drive me crazy. It’s a mate in three. The only hint I can give you is that the only check is the last one, which is mate. Don’t look at the answer. Take the weekend, but try to solve it.

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / March 11, 2026

This is a very special mate in three as the choices are few since it is a very restricted position. In one sense, though, anything goes!

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / March 09, 2026

OK, enough with the in-depth chess lessons! Recreational change of pace—composed chess problems. This one’s a mate in two. Have fun!

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / March 06, 2026

This will be our last Isolated Queen Pawn lesson. In fifteen lessons,if you studied the positions and some of the full games offered, you added to your chess knowledge. Today’s game is special in that you get to see an ...Read More

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / March 04, 2026

GM Carlos Torre was giving a simultaneous exhibition in 1924 when he reached this position as White. Unable to find a defense to the threatened Rc1, he resigned. He missed a saving line! Can you save the game for White?