Chess Puzzle #JKKFJ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1834 · Advanced · deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king h2; rooks e4/f7; knight g7; pawns a2/c3/e6/g2. Black: king g5; rooks a8/g6; bishop d2; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/h4. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook a8→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf5+ — rook f7→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g5→h6).
  3. Best move: Rxh4+ — rook e4→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king h6→g7, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Rf7# — rook f5→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r7/ppp2RN1/2n1P1r1/6k1/4R2p/2P5/P2b2PK/8 b - - 0 39

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