Chess Puzzle #PKqqC — Master, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2557 · Master · corner mate, discovered attack, discovered check, exposed king, long, mate.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f5; bishops c1/d3; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/h3. Black: king h7; queen d8; rooks c8/e8; bishops b7/d6; knight d5; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxh5 — pawn g6→h5, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg5+ — rook f5→g5, gives check. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
  3. Best move: Bxf5+ — bishop d3→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
  4. Best move: Nf7# — knight e5→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

corner mate, discovered attack, discovered check, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Nf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rqr3/pb3p1k/1p1b2p1/2pnNR1Q/3P4/2PB3P/PP6/R1B3K1 b - - 1 20

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