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

Position

White: king d2; queen f6; rooks e1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks e8/h3; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
4. Best move: Rf7# — rook f1→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3p2/2p2Qp1/8/6q1/7r/PPPK4/4RR2 b - - 8 31

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.