Chess Puzzle #4b9mV — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rook c1; bishop d3; pawns a2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d6; rook b8; knight g5; pawns a7/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa3 — queen d6→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen f5→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen a3→f8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen c8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p5p1/3q3p/4pQn1/8/3B3P/P5P1/2R4K b - - 8 36

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