Chess Puzzle #4fs89 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 1139 · Beginner · defensive move, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame.

Position

White: king c5; rook h5; pawn f6. Black: king e8; rook g3; pawns a5/c6/d5/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc3+ — rook g3→c3, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Kd6 — king c5→d6. Opponent replies Rg3 (rook c3→g3).
  3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook g3→g8).
  4. Best move: Rxg8# — rook h8→g8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/5p2/2p1pP2/p1Kp3R/8/6r1/8/8 b - - 1 32

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