Chess Puzzle #19A3E — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1078 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king b3; rooks b7/h4; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/g4. Black: king g6; rook c4; bishop d3; pawns a7/b6/d5/e4/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rhxh7 — rook h4→h7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bc2+ — bishop d3→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka3 (king b3→a3).
  3. Best move: Ra4# — rook c4→a4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Ra4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pR5p/1p4k1/3p4/2rPp1PR/1K1bP3/PP6/8 w - - 13 46

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