Chess Puzzle #1ksC3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook d1; pawns g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen a5; rooks e3/e8; pawns a7/b7/c7/h5. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe5 — queen a5→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd7+ — queen f7→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook e8→d8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/ppp2Q2/8/q6p/8/4r2P/6P1/3R2K1 b - - 1 34

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