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

Rating 1467 · Intermediate · kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b8/d1; bishops c4/c7; pawns a2/c2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c8/e7; bishop f5; knight f6; pawns a5/c6/e4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook e7→c7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook d8→e8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook b8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Rr3k1/2B1rppp/2p2n2/p4b2/2B1p3/2P5/P1P2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 2 17

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