Chess Puzzle #FRJz2 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1405 · Intermediate · endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king h2; queen f5; rook f6; pawns b3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen e7; rook d8; pawns a7/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king h7→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook f6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
  3. Best move: Qh7+ — queen f5→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
  4. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p3qp1k/5R1p/5Q2/8/1P5P/6PK/8 b - - 2 35

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