Chess Puzzle #0JzR8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1064 · Beginner · endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king h1; rooks d8/e7; knight d5; pawns g4/h2. Black: king g7; rook a2; bishop f6; pawns a5/c5/f7/g5/h3. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf6 — knight d5→f6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d8→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook a1→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e7→e1).
  4. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/4Rpk1/5b2/p1pN2p1/6P1/7p/r6P/7K w - - 0 37

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