Chess Puzzle #5R2FS — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1491 · Intermediate · arabian mate, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; rook g5; bishop h6; knight f6; pawns a2/b4/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks b7/c8; bishop a4; knight a6; pawns a7/c4/e5/e6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook b7→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bg7+ — bishop h6→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg7 (rook f7→g7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rh5+ — rook g5→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Rh7 (rook g7→h7).
  4. Best move: Rxh7# — rook h5→h7, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

arabian mate, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/pr6/n3pN1B/4p1R1/bPp5/2P5/P5PP/6K1 b - - 0 32

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.