Chess Puzzle #0aek7 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1209 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a7/d6; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king a5; rooks f8/g5; bishop f2; knight f4; pawns b5/g7/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxa7 — bishop f2→a7, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king a5→a4).
  3. Best move: Ra6# — rook d6→a6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Ra6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/R5p1/3R4/kp4r1/5n1p/2P2B2/PP3bPP/7K b - - 3 35

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