Chess in 40 SecondsAll traps

Réti vs Tartakower · Vienna, 1910

Legend · 1910 · Intermediate

White to move. Mate in 3.

Vienna, 1910. Black just took on e4. Mate in three.

Solve it on the boardWatch the 40-second video
Hint

Force the king onto the open d-column.

Answer

Qd8+ — Qd8+!! Kxd8, then a double check, and mate.

The idea

Queen to d8 check forces the king onto the open column — then a check from two pieces mates.

This famous game is one of 30 quick puzzles in the Chess in 40 Seconds trainer: find the move on the board, get a hint if you're stuck, and learn the idea so you never fall for it in your own games.

More legendary games