Chess Puzzle #ZaDf5 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2278 · Expert · endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g5. Black: king h5; queen e4; rook f4; pawns a7/b7/d5/f2/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qe5 — queen d6→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook f4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
  3. Best move: Rg4+ — rook h4→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king g3→f2, captures pawn).
  4. Best move: Rg2# — rook g4→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp4pp/3Q4/3p2Pk/3Pqr2/2P5/PP3p1K/R4R2 w - - 3 32

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