Chess Puzzle #IZjXZ — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f6; rook c7; pawn g3. Black: king h8; rook c2; pawns b3/c5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg6 — king f6→g6. Opponent replies Rf2 (rook c2→f2).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f2→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook c8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/2R4p/5K2/2p5/8/1p4P1/2r5/8 b - - 1 40

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