Chess Puzzle #MhL1R — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1546 · Intermediate · deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame.

Position

White: king f2; rooks b1/h4; bishop f5; pawns a2/c3/d4/d6/e5/h2. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop f3; knight c6; pawns a5/b7/f6/f7. Black is ahead by 10 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook f8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg1+ — rook b1→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Bg2 (bishop f3→g2).
  3. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook g1→g2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
  4. Best move: Rxh8# — rook h4→h8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1r2/1p3pk1/2nP1p2/p3PB2/3P3R/2P2b2/P4K1P/1R6 b - - 3 31

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