Chess Puzzles
Play ChessMini ChessSurvivalTakesCheckSmotheredMate in 1Mate in 2Mate in 3Chess SolitaireChain CaptureKing and PawnRook EndgameZugzwangQueen vs Pawn
Top PlayersBlogThe Most Common Checkmate Patterns Every Beginner Should KnowHow to Win at Mini ChessThe Art of the Smothered MateSurvival Chess: How to Keep Your Knight Alive
Play ChessMini ChessSurvivalTakesCheckSmotheredMate in 1Mate in 2Mate in 3Chess SolitaireChain CaptureKing and PawnRook EndgameZugzwangQueen vs Pawn
Top PlayersBlogThe Most Common Checkmate Patterns Every Beginner Should KnowHow to Win at Mini ChessThe Art of the Smothered MateSurvival Chess: How to Keep Your Knight Alive

Mate in 1

Find the single move that delivers checkmate.

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1a
b
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h
♟

Ready to play?

Timer starts on click. Solve faster for more points.

Want to go deeper? How to Solve Mate in 1 Puzzles Every Time

Rules
  • You play White.
  • Deliver checkmate in 1 move.
  • Black always plays its best defense.
  • Stalemate counts as a loss.

How to Play

1

One move wins

There is exactly one move that delivers checkmate. The puzzle is complete the moment that move is played.

2

Look for checks first

Checkmate must put the king in check with no escape. Scan every available check and ask: can the king move, block, or capture?

3

Eliminate escape squares

A mating move leaves the king with zero legal moves. Make sure your piece gives check and every escape square is covered.

4

You play White

White always moves first. Black has no response — if your move is checkmate, you win immediately.