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

Rating 935 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king d1; rook e1; bishops d3/f6; knight c1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knight h6; pawns a7/b7/d7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 12 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng4 — knight h6→g4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
  3. Best move: Rxh8# — rook e8→h8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b3kr/ppqp1p2/5Bpn/8/8/3B4/P4PPP/2NKR3 b - - 6 20

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