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

Position

White: king e2; rooks a1/c6; bishop e3; pawns b2/b7/f2/h2. Black: king b4; rook h8; bishops e4/e5; knight d3; pawns a6/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook h8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb6+ — rook c6→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king b4→c4).
3. Best move: Ra4+ — rook a1→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Nb4 (knight d3→b4).
4. Best move: Raxb4# — rook a4→b4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Raxb4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7r/1P3p1p/p1R3p1/3pb3/1k2b3/3nB3/1P2KP1P/R7 b - - 8 30

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