Chess Puzzle #64uIK — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h3; rook d1; bishops c2/e3; pawns a2/b2/c4/f5/g2/g6. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e7; knight f6; pawns a7/b6/c6/d6/e5/g7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1 — rook d1→h1. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h3→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ng8 (knight f6→g8).
4. Best move: Qxg7+ — queen h8→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king f8→g7, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h1→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
6. Best move: Rf7# — rook h7→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 5, middlegame, pillsburys mate, quiet move, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/p3b1p1/1ppp1nP1/4pP2/2P5/4B2Q/PPB3P1/2KR4 b - - 0 21

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