Chess Puzzle #1F6zm — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 787 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/e1; knight b3; pawns b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b5; bishop c2; pawns a5/b4/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb3 — bishop c2→b3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen b5→e8).
  3. Best move: Rexe8# — rook e1→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rexe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5ppp/8/pq1p4/1p6/1N6/1Pb2PPP/2R1R1K1 b - - 3 26

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