Chess Puzzle #1ABSp — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook c7; knight c6; pawns e5/g2/h3. Black: king e7; rooks a5/d7; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king e7→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1Rrkppp/1pN1p3/r3P3/8/7P/5KP1/8 b - - 1 33

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