Free Checkmate Puzzle Rush: Mate Rush
Finish as many checkmates as you can in two minutes, from mate in one to the classic endings.
Free checkmate puzzle rush
Mate Rush is a free puzzle rush of checkmates only. You have two minutes to finish as many mates as you can. The first six are mates in one; then the defender fights back with the longest defence in mates in two and three, and the last levels deal the classic endings. A move that lets the mate slip is a strike, and three strikes end the run, as does the clock.
The mates it deals
It opens with back rank mates in one, a rook or queen landing on the last rank, then mates in one from anywhere. Mates in two start with a check, later with any move, and the hardest mates in three open with a quiet first move. The endings are the ladder mate with two rooks, then king and queen against king, then king and rook against king, each with a small move budget.
A typical first run finishes about 10 mates; 12 is the top quarter (Club) and 17 the top 1% (GM). For slower practice, work through mate in 2 puzzles, mate in 3 puzzles or the rated chess puzzles.
Questions
Is there a free puzzle rush?
Yes. Mate Rush is free with no signup: two minutes, checkmates only, from mate in 1 to the classic endings. Sign in only if you want your score saved on the leaderboard.
What is a good puzzle rush score?
In Mate Rush, about 10 mates is a typical first run, 12 is the top quarter and 17 the top 1%. Scores do not compare across sites, since each one deals different puzzles.
What is the difference between mate in 1 and mate in 2?
A mate in 1 is one move that checkmates at once. A mate in 2 needs a first move, often a check, after which every reply allows mate on the next move.