Chess Puzzle #17jXv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rooks a1/h1; bishop f7; pawns a2/b2/e4/g2. Black: king h8; rook a8; bishops b6/c8; pawns a7/b7/c3/c7/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb2 — pawn c3→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook h1→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook a1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Bh3 (bishop c8→h3).
4. Best move: Rxh3# — rook h1→h3, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b4k/ppp2Bpp/1b3p2/8/4P3/2p3K1/PP4P1/R6R b - - 0 22

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