Chess Puzzle #S5rr1 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook c6; knight f4; pawns d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook a1; knight d2; pawns a7/d5/e4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g7→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Nh5+ — knight f4→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
4. Best move: Rc6+ — rook c8→c6, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
5. Best move: Rxf6+ — rook c6→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh5 (king h6→h5, captures knight).
6. Best move: g4+ — pawn g2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h5→h4).
7. Best move: Rh6# — rook f6→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 5, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Rh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4ppp/2R5/3p4/3PpN2/7P/3n1PPK/r7 b - - 2 36

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