Chess Puzzle #A3Thg — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1597 · Intermediate · deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king f1; rook c1; knights d7/f3; pawns c7/g2. Black: king g7; rooks b2/h5; pawns f7/g3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h5→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ng1 (knight f3→g1).
  3. Best move: Rf2+ — rook b2→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king f1→e1).
  4. Best move: Rxg1# — rook h1→g1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxg1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2PN1pk1/8/7r/8/5Np1/1r4P1/2R2K2 w - - 1 45

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