Chess Puzzle #0rA69 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1022 · Beginner · endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rook f5; pawns b2/c3/d4/h2. Black: king h7; queen d1; rook g7; pawns a7/b7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka2 — king b1→a2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen d1→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king a2→b1).
  3. Best move: Rg1+ — rook g7→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f5→f1).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook g1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp4rk/7p/3Q1R2/3P4/2P5/1P5P/1K1q4 w - - 2 40

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.