Chess Puzzle #6mWit — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen a6; rooks e3/f1; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/d5; pawns f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen d8→d5, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d3→e2).
3. Best move: Rc2+ — rook c8→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king e2→e1).
4. Best move: Qd2# — queen d5→d2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qd2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rq2k1/5ppp/Q7/3r4/8/1PNKR1P1/P6P/5R2 w - - 0 34

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