Chess Puzzle #Twuq3 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2072 · Expert · double check, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b1; queen d3; rooks f1/g3; knight g6; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rooks d8/f7; bishop b7; pawns a7/b5/c6/e6/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king h8→h7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf8+ — knight g6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  3. Best move: Qh7+ — queen d3→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

double check, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/pb2qrp1/2p1ppNp/1p6/8/3Q2R1/PPP3PP/1K3R2 b - - 7 27

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