Chess Puzzle #1AA3k — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 937 · Beginner · endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b1/f7; pawns b6/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g4; rooks c4/c6; pawns e4/e5/g6/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c6→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  4. Best move: h3# — pawn h4→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with h3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5R2/1Pr3p1/4p3/2r1p1kp/4P1P1/5P1P/1R4K1 w - - 2 42

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