Chess Puzzle #14kKM — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rooks c1/f8; knight c4; pawns a2/b3/b5/e3/f4/h3. Black: king b7; rook e7; bishop d5; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf8 — knight d7→f8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight c4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king b7→b8).
3. Best move: Rc8# — rook c1→c8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/pk1nr2p/1p4p1/1P1b1p2/2N2P2/1P2P2P/P4K2/2R5 b - - 9 30

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