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

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks c1/f4; bishops d2/g6; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rooks a4/f8; bishop d7; pawns b5/c6/d3/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen h4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop d7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen d8→e8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f4→f8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/3b2p1/2p3Bp/1p6/r2q1R1Q/3p4/P2B2PP/2R4K b - - 0 33

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