Chess Puzzle #4tpNS — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks e7/f7; knight c5; pawns g4/h2. Black: king c8; rooks b2/h8; knight c4; pawns a7/c6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook h8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7+ — rook e7→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Na6+ — knight c5→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
4. Best move: Rxa7# — rook c7→a7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxa7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/p3RR1p/2p3p1/2N5/2n3P1/8/1r5P/7K b - - 1 29

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