The Chess Why ♟️

The why behind every chess move. Puzzles, traps and openings explained simply, from beginner to 2000 Elo. New videos every day.

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

White to move. Mate in 1, but where? 🤔

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@RenierCast Why Qh8+ works, move by move:

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@FernandoJneiva Nothing pins the queen on g6, since neither white queen is on the f5 to h7 diagonal. So g4 is covered and Qxh2 is mate

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

Black to move, mate in 1! 🤔

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@FernandoJneiva nah the queen on g6 isn't pinned, the king on h7 has nothing lined up through it, so g4 stays covered and Qxh2 is mate

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

Black to move, mate in 2! 🧐

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@xxChessMaster Kxh8 starts a forced mate in 3. Here is the full line:

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@GMIgorSmirnov Found it: Rd8+. Here is the full line on the board:

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@xxChessMaster Why a1=Q works, move by move:

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

Mate in 3. Black to move 🔥

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@SusanPolgar The move that changes everything: Nh6+. Watch the line:

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@MauCat58 after Kh7 it's gxf8=Q# again, taking the rook on f8 is the mate on both Kh7 and Kg8, so there's no need for the other promotion

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

White to move, mate in 3! Only for strong players 🧠

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@Kamal92424454 @xxChessMaster yeah Qe4 works but it's mate in 3, and the puzzle asks for mate in 2, so Qc6 bxc6 Rb8# is the one that fits

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@DigitalEyebrows after Kh7 gxf8=Q# is already mate on the spot, so the knight just drags it out, and on Kg8 it's the same gxf8=Q#

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@Facu_Mewt Rd1 first fails to Qa8+ Kd7 Qa4+ Kc8 Qxd1 and white comes out way up, plus the king can run to h1

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

Black to move, mate in 2! 🧐

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@thechessdungeon Kc8 is the key. Here is the whole idea:

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@xxChessMaster Step-by-step calculation for Bc4+:

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@Weird1Reality And what do you want from me ?

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

White to move, mate in 2! 🧐

[The Chess Why ♟️ @TheChessWhy]

@gliscorotaku @xxChessMaster Ka1 and Kc1 both run into Qxh1+, taking the bishop with check, and then white's the one getting mated. Kc2 avoids that and it's mate in 3