Chess Puzzle #1RGw9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks d1/h6; bishop e4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/h2. Black: king h8; queen a6; rooks c8/f8; bishop f6; pawns b7/d6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king h8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king g7→g8).
3. Best move: Rg1+ — rook d1→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Bg5 (bishop f6→g5).
4. Best move: Rxg5# — rook g1→g5, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxg5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/1p6/q2p1b1R/8/4B3/2N5/PP5P/1K1R4 b - - 0 29

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