Chess Puzzle #IyB5J — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1483 · Intermediate · double check, kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook d1; bishop c1; knight f7; pawns a3/b4/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen b3; rooks c2/f8; bishop g7; knight d5; pawns a6/b6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king h8→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nh6+ — knight f7→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qg8+ — queen e6→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg8 (rook f8→g8, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Nf7# — knight h6→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

double check, kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice, smothered mate. The combination ends with Nf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/5Nbp/pp2Q1p1/3n4/1P1P4/Pq5P/2r2PP1/2BR2K1 b - - 2 30

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.