Chess Puzzle #9g4ZF — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2210 · Expert · endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king f5; rooks a1/d1; pawns a7/b2/e5/f4/h3. Black: king e7; queen f3; rook c1; pawns d2/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen f3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king f5→e4).
  3. Best move: Rc4+ — rook c1→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king e4→d5).
  4. Best move: Qe6# — queen h3→e6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qe6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/P3kp1p/8/4PK2/5P2/5q1P/1P1p4/R1rR4 w - - 3 46

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