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

Position

White: king h2; queen g6; rooks g4/h8; pawns a4/b3/d4/e3/f4/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks d8/f7; pawns a5/b7/c6/d5/f6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king g8→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qh7+ — queen g6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2kR/1p2qrp1/2p2pQ1/p2p4/P2P1PR1/1P2P2P/7K/8 b - - 13 33

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