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

Rating 892 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rook e1; knight c5; pawns f3/h3. Black: king f8; rook a2; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nd7+ — knight c5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/ppp2ppp/8/2N5/8/5P1P/r7/4R2K b - - 1 33

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