Chess Puzzle #GTxVq — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook a1; bishops b1/b2; knights e4/g5; pawns a4/d4/f2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks e8/f8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd6 — knight e4→d6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qh1+ — queen c6→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
4. Best move: Rg1# — rook e1→g1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rg1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/ppp2pp1/2qb4/6Np/P2PNQ2/8/1B3P2/RB4K1 w - - 1 23

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