Chess Puzzle #1QZhC — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g4; rook a6; knight e5; pawns e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook c3; bishop c1; pawns e6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra7 — rook a6→a7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: f5+ — pawn f7→f5, gives check. Opponent replies exf5 (pawn e4→f5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: exf5+ — pawn e6→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king g4→h4).
4. Best move: Bg5# — bishop c1→g5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Bg5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/R3p1pp/4N3/4P1K1/2r4P/5PP1/2b5 w - - 0 40

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