Chess Puzzle #087Yq — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 622 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king b1; rooks e2/f1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/h5. Black: king g8; rooks c6/c8; bishop g5; pawns a6/e6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nb4 — knight d5→b4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c6→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook f1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/6p1/p1r1p3/3N2bP/8/8/PP2R3/1K3R2 w - - 1 41

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