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

Rating 1511 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, fork, long.

Position

White: king a2; queen c1; rook g7; pawns a3/b2/d4. Black: king b8; queen f3; rook d8; pawns a6/b7/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg8+ — rook g7→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b8→a7).
  3. Best move: Qc5+ — queen c1→c5, gives check. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b7→b6).
  4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen c5→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Rg8+.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/1p3pR1/p7/8/3P4/P4q2/KP6/2Q5 b - - 0 36

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

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