Chess Puzzle #3qH1D — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; bishops b3/b4; knight f5; pawns a3/b2/c2/h6. Black: king h8; rooks c8/d1; bishop g5; knight e4; pawns a7/b6/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight e4→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc3+ — bishop b4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Rd4 (rook d1→d4).
3. Best move: Bxd4+ — bishop c3→d4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf6 (bishop g5→f6).
4. Best move: Bxf6# — bishop d4→f6, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Bxf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p6p/1p5P/5Nb1/1B2n3/PB6/KPP5/3r4 b - - 6 34

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