Chess Puzzle #05V0f — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1173 · Beginner · mate, mate in 1, middlegame, one move, smothered mate.

Position

White: king g2; queen b8; rooks b1/h1; bishop c1; knights a6/f3; pawns a3/b2/f5/g3/h2. Black: king a8; queen b3; rooks g8/h8; bishop f6; pawns a7/b7/d4. White is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (1 move)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb8 — rook g8→b8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc7# — knight a6→c7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 1, middlegame, one move, smothered mate. The combination ends with Nc7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: kQ4rr/pp6/N4b2/5P2/3p4/Pq3NP1/1P4KP/1RB4R b - - 8 35

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