Chess Puzzle #ACq1j — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1662 · Advanced · attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks d1/e1; pawns a3/b2/c3/e5/g3/h2. Black: king f7; queen c5; rooks d8/h8; pawns b5/f5/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg2 — king g1→g2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook h8→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king g2→h2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qf2+ — queen c5→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh3 (king h2→h3).
  4. Best move: Rh8# — rook d8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/5k2/Q5p1/1pq1Pp2/8/P1P3P1/1P5P/3RR1K1 w - - 0 31

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