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

Position

White: king f3; rook b8; knight d8; pawns b4/c5/d4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; rook b2; bishop d3; pawns b5/d5/e6/g5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe6 — knight d8→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Be4+ — bishop d3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king f3→g4).
3. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook b2→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g4→h5).
4. Best move: g6# — pawn g7→g6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with g6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1R1N4/6pk/4p3/1pPp2p1/1P1P4/3bPK1P/1r4P1/8 w - - 9 40

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