Chess Puzzle #Cq3r5 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1730 · Advanced · exposed king, kill-box mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks b2/d1; bishop g3; pawns a4/c5/h4. Black: king g8; queen f3; rooks e6/e8; pawns a7/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd3 — rook d1→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe1 (bishop g3→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  4. Best move: Rh1# — rook e1→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, kill-box mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4p2/4r1p1/1QP4p/P6P/5qB1/1R6/3R2K1 w - - 0 35

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