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

Rating 1132 · Beginner · long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks f1/g3; knight f5; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/e4/g2/h4. Black: king h7; queen a2; rooks d8/f8; knights c6/e6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ncd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g3→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxg7 (knight e6→g7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qh6+ — queen d2→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  4. Best move: Qxg7# — queen h6→g7, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r2/ppp2ppk/2n1n3/4pN2/4P2P/P2P2R1/qPPQ2P1/5RK1 b - - 2 23

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