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

Rating 591 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king c2; rook a6; bishop e4; pawns a2/b2/e2/h3. Black: king h8; rook f1; bishop e3; pawns b5/c5/d4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f1→f8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook a8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/6p1/R6p/1pp5/3pB3/4b2P/PPK1P3/5r2 b - - 2 33

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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