Chess Puzzle #8WhnH — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king h1; rook g7; pawns g4/h3. Black: king f4; rook a2; pawns a5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh7 — rook g7→h7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kg3 — king f4→g3. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook h7→c7).
3. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c7→c1).
4. Best move: Rxc1# — rook a1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/6Rp/8/p7/5kP1/7P/r7/7K w - - 0 34

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