Chess Puzzle #Z1Au7 — Expert, White to move, opening

Rating 2001 · Expert · kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king e1; queen h5; rooks a1/h1; bishops d3/g3; knights c3/e5; pawns a2/b2/c5/d4/e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops c7/c8; knights b8/d7; pawns a6/b7/c6/d5/e6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf8 — knight d7→f8. 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: rnbqr1k1/1pbn2pp/p1p1pp2/2PpN2Q/3P1P2/2NBP1B1/PP4PP/R3K2R b KQ - 1 12

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