Chess Puzzle #1Ajp4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1175 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c7; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king a8; rooks d7/h8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rhd8 — rook h8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook d8→c8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k6r/ppRr1ppp/4pn2/1N6/3P4/5P2/PP3P1P/2R3K1 b - - 2 19

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