Chess Puzzle #3pFn8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rook e1; knights e5/f6; pawns b2/c3/f4/h6. Black: king h8; rooks d8/f8; knight f5; pawns a6/c6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook d8→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight e5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/5p2/p1p2NpP/4Nn2/5P2/2P5/1P6/2K1R3 b - - 1 32

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