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

Rating 929 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short.

Position

White: king h2; rook d7; knights c5/h7; pawns c4/d3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king e8; rook f2; knight d4; pawns c6/e6/f4/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg7 — rook d7→g7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight d4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king h2→h1).
  3. Best move: Rf1# — rook f2→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/3R2pN/2p1p2p/2N1P3/2Pn1p2/3P3P/5rPK/8 w - - 1 31

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