Chess Puzzle #19nkF — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; rook c5; pawns b6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook a1; pawns e6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen b2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rxh5+ — rook c5→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
4. Best move: Qg5# — queen d8→g5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qg5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/1P1Qp3/2R4p/8/7P/1q3PPK/r7 b - - 6 39

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