Chess Puzzle #0Sskx — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a1/e2; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen h4; rooks e8/f8; pawns a7/b6/c7/d7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen h4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook e2→f2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
4. Best move: Rexf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rexf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rr1k/p1pp3p/1p4p1/3Q4/2P4q/8/PP2RPPP/R5K1 w - - 5 19

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