Chess Puzzle #42Y7T — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook b8; bishop g2; knight e6; pawns d5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g7; rook e2; bishop c4; knight d3; pawns d6/e7/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king g7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook b8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f6→e5).
3. Best move: f4+ — pawn f2→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Nxf4 (knight d3→f4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: gxf4# — pawn g3→f4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with gxf4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/4p1kp/3pN1p1/3P1p2/2b5/3n2PP/4rPB1/6K1 b - - 5 30

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