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

Position

White: king h2; queen b7; rooks a7/f4; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks c1/f8; pawns c6/e4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf1 — queen c4→f1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen b7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
4. Best move: Rfxf8# — rook f4→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/RQ3ppp/2p5/8/2q1pR2/7P/5PPK/2r5 b - - 3 26

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