The Hardest Lichess Checkmate Puzzle

Discover the only Lichess checkmate puzzle rated above 3000. A brilliant 9-move forced mate that showcases perfect coordination and tactical depth.

What follows is not a composed puzzle with artificial difficulty, but a sequence from an actual game. And yet, it’s more challenging than most hand-crafted studies. That’s what makes it special.

It all start from the obvious move 12.exd4 of an actual rated blitz game on Lichess in 2020

But White made the infamous mistake by capturing the queen.

At first glance, this position looks wild. Black has a knight deep in enemy territory, a bishop slicing across the board from b4, and a central pawn structure ready to break open. White’s king is still in its starting position, surrounded by its own pieces but strangely vulnerable. And right here begins the only Lichess checkmate puzzle rated above 3000, a staggering 3038. It’s a masterpiece of calculation, where every move is either forced or precise, and each tempo matters.

12… Nf3+

The knight sacrifice begins.
Black starts with a check, forcing the White king to leave the safety of castling and step into the danger zone.

13. Ke2 (the only move) Nfxd4+

Now the knight starts to jump
The knight from f3 goes to d4, giving another check and simultaneously coordinating with the bishop on b4. This also lure the king to the middle of the board.

14. Ke3 (the only move, again) Nf5+

White walks into the firing range.

Black’s knight from d4 comes to f5, continuing the tempo and forcing the king even deeper into Black’s position. If White’s king goes back to e2, Black will mate by 15…Ncd4#.

15. Ke4 d5+

The pawn joins the attack.

This d5 check is key. It opens up the board while also luring the king further forward.

16. cxd5 (another forced move) exd5+

White captures the pawn, but now Black strikes again with e6xd5+, keeping the pressure.

• This move clears the e6-square for a bishop that will soon play a crucial role.

17. Kxd5 (the only move) Nfe7+

The king takes the pawn, thinking it has escaped, but now Nf5-e7+ comes with another check.

18. Kc4 Be6+

Black develops with tempo: bishop to e6+.

• This beautifully pins the king to the edge and helps fence it in.

If 18. Ke4 then 18… Bf5+ 19. Ke3 Nd5+ 20. Ke2 Nd4#

19. Kb5 (the only move) a6+

Time for the final sprint.

• a6+ forces the king to a4, a nearly closed cage.

20. Ka4 (the only choice) b5#

Checkmate!

• The pawn delivers the final blow.
• The bishop on e6, the pawns on a6 and b5, and the knight on e7 all combine to box in the king completely.

Tactical Highlights:

• Two knight sacrifices to drag the king out and control central squares.
• Pawn storm with tempo: d5 and e5 break open the center.
• Bishop development with check to close escape routes.
• Coordinated final pawn push to deliver the mate.

Why it’s one of the hardest Lichess puzzles:

• Requires perfect calculation of forcing lines.
• Involves understanding piece coordination and king chase dynamics.
• You need to see the full 9-move sequence from the start to know it works.

Here’s the full game where Black did not find the 9-move checkmate (understandably). But he checkmated his opponent in the 24th move.