Chess Puzzle #1UtB2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks e1/e6; knight f3; pawns d4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks c7/c8; knight h5; pawns d5/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb7 — queen b2→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Qf8# — queen h6→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2r4p/4RppQ/3p3n/3P4/5N2/1q3PP1/4R1K1 b - - 2 35

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