Chess Puzzle #0HTZO — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 933 · Beginner · endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g1; rook b5; pawns a5/g2. Black: king h4; rook a2; pawn g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: g3+ — pawn g4→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
  3. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook b5→b1).
  4. Best move: Rxb1# — rook a1→b1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/PR6/6pk/8/r5P1/6K1 w - - 4 56

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.