Chess Puzzle #cI1YX — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2010 · Expert · endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king g1; queen b8; rook f7; bishop d6; pawns b2/c5/f3/g2/h4. Black: king h7; queen c1; rook a4; pawns c6/f6/g7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd2+ — queen c1→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king f2→g3).
  3. Best move: Qe1+ — queen d2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh3 (king g3→h3).
  4. Best move: Rxh4# — rook a4→h4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Q6/5Rpk/2pB1p2/2P5/r6P/5P2/1P4P1/2q3K1 w - - 1 34

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