Chess Puzzle #IQWKq — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks a7/g3; bishop h5; pawns b3/e4/f5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks b2/c1; bishop f4; pawns b4/d6/e5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook b2→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c1→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook a8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Bg6+ — bishop h5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies fxg6 (pawn f7→g6, captures bishop).
5. Best move: fxg6# — pawn f5→g6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 4, very long. The combination ends with fxg6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/R4pp1/3p3p/4pP1B/1p2Pb2/1P4RP/1r4PK/2r5 b - - 9 33

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