White to move, mate in one. This is the smothered mate: the black king is hemmed in by his own pieces, and a knight check becomes mate - there is no escaping a knight.
The black king on h8 is surrounded by his own rook on g8 and pawns on g7 and h7. The white knight stands on g5, one jump from the decisive square.
The solution is Nf7 mate. The knight hops to f7 and checks the king on h8; every neighbouring square is occupied by Black's own pieces, so it is mate. This finish is often prepared with the queen sacrifice Qg8+ to lure the rook in.
Drag a piece onto the board, or click a piece and then click the squares. The cross beside the pieces sweeps every piece of that colour off the board, and a single piece can be dragged off the edge.
The pieces will be arranged into the chosen pattern.
It is the mating side to move. Find mate in one.
Openings, endgame positions and breakthrough studies - the set-up appears on the board.
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