Chess Puzzle #9WcEc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rook d5; bishops b2/e2; pawns a2/b3/c2. Black: king h8; queen g1; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng4 — knight e5→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Bd3+ — bishop e2→d3, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
4. Best move: Rh8# — rook d8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/ppp3p1/7p/3Rn3/8/1P6/PBPKB3/6q1 b - - 11 32

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