Chess Puzzle #0w7p7 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1477 · Intermediate · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook h7; bishop f5; pawns a4/c3/g4/h3. Black: king b7; rook b3; bishop e5; pawns a7/b6/c6/f6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka6 — king b7→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bc8+ — bishop f5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king a6→a5).
  3. Best move: Rxa7# — rook h7→a7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxa7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pk5R/1pp2p1p/4bBp1/P5P1/1rP2K1P/8/8 b - - 3 48

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