Chess Puzzle #0IzMe — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rooks e2/g1; knight e4; pawns a2/b3/d4/f4/h3. Black: king g7; rooks c8/d5; bishop h4; pawns b4/b6/e6/f7/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg5 — knight e4→g5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc3+ — rook c8→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e3→d2).
3. Best move: Rxd4# — rook d5→d4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/5pk1/1p2p3/3r2p1/1p1PNP1b/1P2K2P/P3R3/6R1 w - - 0 33

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.