Chess Puzzle #4p1mE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rooks f1/f7; pawns a2/c2/c3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks a8/f8; pawns a6/b5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d7→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/3Q1Rpp/p3p3/1p6/6q1/2P5/P1P4P/5R1K b - - 4 25

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