Chess Puzzle #CWs0m — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1521 · Intermediate · endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a6/f1; pawns b3/c5/g3. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks f8/h2; pawns c7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh6 — rook h2→h6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
  4. Best move: Rfxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rfxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2p2ppp/R3p3/2P5/8/1P3QP1/1q5r/5RK1 b - - 1 28

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