Chess Puzzle #10s9o — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; rook b6; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king h5; rook e2; pawns f5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook e2→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: g4+ — pawn g2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies fxg4+ (pawn f5→g4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: hxg4+ — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h5→h4).
4. Best move: Rxh6# — rook b6→h6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1R5p/5ppk/8/5K1P/4rPP1/8 b - - 3 39

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