Daily puzzle

#25 · July 4, 2026
David Howell
David Howell

Today we continue our theme of mating patterns. Can you spot how former European champion Maxim Matlakov ended this game in style?

Played 2018, in European Individual Championship • Matlakov vs Nabaty • Batumi
Solution

Nf7+ Kg8 Qh8+ Nxh8 Nh6#

There we go! A beautiful twist on the smothered mate. By sacrificing our queen on h8, we block the black king's escape square in the corner. Three is often the magic number when it comes to successful attacks, and White's three remaining pieces combine perfectly together.