Chess Puzzle #0M1X4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a3; rooks d1/d5; bishop f6; pawns e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks c6/c8; knight a5; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook c6→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Qf8# — queen a3→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4p1p/1pr2Bp1/n2R4/2q5/Q3P3/5PPP/3RK3 b - - 2 26

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