Chess Puzzle #0FcfF — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1167 · Beginner · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook h3; knight f4; pawns a5/b4/c2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c4; rooks g6/g8; pawns b5/e4/e6/f5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: R6g7 — rook g6→g7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ng6+ — knight f4→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg6 (rook g7→g6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook h3→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/3Q3p/4ppr1/Pp3p2/1Pq1pN2/7R/2P3PP/6K1 b - - 2 32

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