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

Position

White: king h1; queen g2; rook e2; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/f3. Black: king b8; queen f2; rooks d8/h3; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/g3. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh3 — queen g2→h3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: g2+ — pawn g3→g2, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg2 (queen h3→g2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook d8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Qh2 (queen g2→h2).
4. Best move: Rxh2# — rook h8→h2, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/ppp5/8/5p2/8/P1NP1Ppr/1PP1RqQ1/7K w - - 0 30

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