Mate in 3 puzzles

Three of your moves, two of theirs, and the king is mated whatever they do. These puzzles reward seeing the final position first and working backwards: where does the king end up, and which piece delivers the last blow?

Most are combinations - a sacrifice, a check that forces the king out, then a finish.

How to spot it

• Picture the mating position, then find the moves that force it.
• Forcing moves first: checks leave the opponent the fewest replies to calculate.
• Sacrifices are normal here. Material does not matter if the king falls.