Chess Puzzle #0PFc8 — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 635 · Beginner · endgame, knight endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king a3; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3. Black: king a5; rook h2; pawns a4/b5/c5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxh2 — knight f3→h2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies cxb4+ (pawn c3→b4, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: cxb4# — pawn c5→b4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, knight endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with cxb4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/8/kpp5/p7/K1P2N2/PP5r/8 w - - 2 46

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