Chess Puzzle #0w9by — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 947 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/d5; bishop e2; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f6; rooks a8/h8; bishop d6; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne7 — knight c6→e7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd6+ — rook d5→d6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies cxd6 (pawn c7→d6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd6# — rook d1→d6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6r/ppp2pp1/2nb1k1p/3Rp3/4P3/5N2/PPP1BPPP/2KR4 b - - 3 13

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