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

Rating 721 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook a6; bishop f5; pawns a3/b3/e5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook e8; knight c3; pawns a5/b5/c5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook a8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5pp1/R6p/ppp1PB2/8/PPn3P1/7P/6K1 b - - 3 41

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