Chess Puzzle #WafSW — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2089 · Expert · kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishops d3/g5; knights e5/f6; pawns a2/b4/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d8/e8; bishops b7/e7; knights d5/f8; pawns a7/b5/c6/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop e7→f6, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight f8→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qf7+ — queen h5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  4. Best move: Ng6# — knight e5→g6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Ng6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rrnk1/pb2b1pp/1qp1pN2/1p1nN1BQ/1P1P4/2PB4/P4PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 18

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