Chess Puzzle #0Xfnc — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1033 · Beginner · endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king f4; rook c5; bishop c1; pawns f5/g5. Black: king h7; rook e7; bishop a2; pawns b4/c3/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb1 — bishop a2→b1. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: g6+ — pawn g5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
  3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
  4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/4r1pk/8/2R2PP1/1p3K2/2p5/b7/2B5 b - - 0 55

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