Chess Puzzle #2pTAq — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rooks h1/h3; pawns d4/e6/g5. Black: king f8; rook d8; knight c4; pawns a4/b5/c6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxe6 — pawn f7→e6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h3→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: R1h7+ — rook h1→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook h8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, epaulette mate, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/5p2/2p1P1p1/1p4P1/p1nP4/7R/6K1/7R b - - 0 38

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