Chess Puzzle #3HQKs — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1202 · Intermediate · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook f7; pawns f4/g4/h4. Black: king h6; rook e8; pawns e5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: g5+ — pawn g4→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h6→h5).
  3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook f7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/5R1p/6pk/4p3/5PPP/5K2/8/8 b - - 0 39

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