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

Rating 974 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks f1/f4; bishop g2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen g7; rooks b8/f8; bishop d7; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nh5 — knight f6→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f4→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook b8→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r3r1k/3b2qp/p4np1/1p1P4/5R2/2Q3P1/PPP3BP/5RK1 b - - 4 36

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