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

Rating 993 · Beginner · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, pin.

Position

White: king g1; rook d8; bishop d3; knight f5; pawns f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; rook c3; bishops b3/f8; pawns a5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight f5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, pin, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3R1bk1/5pp1/7p/p4N2/8/1brB2PP/5P2/6K1 b - - 13 42

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