Chess Puzzle #5P9VE — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks a1/f2; bishop c3; knight f4; pawns a3/b4/c2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d1; rooks d8/f8; bishop a6; pawns a7/e4/f6/g7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook a1→d1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Be1 (bishop c3→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook d1→e1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p5p1/b4p2/8/1P2pN1Q/P1B1P3/2P2RPP/R2q2K1 w - - 1 24

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