Chess Puzzle #27LUU — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 668 · Beginner · advanced pawn, endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king f6; rooks d1/d7; pawns f7/g2. Black: king f8; rooks c8/e3; pawns a3/c6/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e3→e8).
  4. Best move: fxe8=Q# — pawn f7→e8, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, promotion, rook endgame. The combination ends with fxe8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/3R1P2/2p2K2/8/7p/p3r3/6P1/3R4 b - - 1 43

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