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

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook g6; pawns a4/d4/f3/g2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks f6/f8; pawns a6/b3/b4/e6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg7+ — rook g6→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f7→e8).
3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen g3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen c6→c8).
4. Best move: Qxc8# — queen b8→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/8/p1q1prR1/8/Pp1P4/1p3PQ1/6P1/6K1 b - - 0 32

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