Chess Puzzle #1k8RW — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e7; rook b7; pawns e5/f6/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c8; rook c2; pawns a5/e6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf8 — queen c8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen e7→f8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c2→c8).
4. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2q3k1/1R2Qp2/4pPp1/p3P2p/8/7P/2r3P1/7K b - - 3 40

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