Same rules as always:

1.) White must mate in 3 moves.  No exceptions.  Assume that you have 1m30s on the clock and each move takes you 30s to make (whether it actually takes you 30 seconds, 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 10 seconds, just assume it takes 30s).  If you don't mate in 3, it's game over and black wins.

2.) There is only one key move to obtain mate in 3.  (If you find others, please let me know )

 3.) No first key move will result in a check, a capture, or involve the promotion of a pawn.

Puzzle #1

Puzzle #2

Puzzle #3 

Puzzle #4

Puzzle #5

Puzzle #6

Puzzle #7

What about 2. Rc7 b4 3. Rh7#

The first move may not be a check/capture, but it does take away two flight squares from the black king (h6&g5) - this is also an element worth considering

This is true Heinzie, but the important part is that that mate wouldn't be possible without the key move :) I don't always show all alternatives in a puzzle unless asked. I've modified the puzzle to help push people in the direction I'd like the mate to go (as I like it better than the rook mate).

At the end of the day though, the real puzzle is finding the key move.

in about three seconds i saw an alternative checkmate but it took me almost your full 1:30 to find your way for some reason lol

mine was 1. Bd2 b5 2.Rg4 b6 (the only move left for black since all other pieces are pinned) 3.Bxg6#

sry if my chess notation is off this is the first ive written with it but im sure you can figure out my moves if im off a little anyways

That's not mate since black can play 3... hxg6.

The key move is good, but it seems that there are (still) at least 3 alternatives:

2. Rc6 b4 3. Bxg6#

2. Rg4 b4 3, Bxg6#

3. Rc5 b4 3. e6#

That's not mate since black can play 3... hxg6.

? "what" is "that" referring to?

The poster above me

Edit: he actually meant Bxg6# which is correct, for some reason I thought he meant Ng3+, we both made mistakes :)

ah, I understand all now

yes thank you...stupid typoes :P

@ post #9

a different order but still what i said above ;)