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

Rating 967 · Beginner · deflection, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e8; bishop b3; knight g5; pawns a4/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook a8; bishop c8; knights c6/h7; pawns a7/b6/c7/d7/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf8 — knight h7→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxf7+ — bishop b3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1b1R1k1/p1pp1ppn/1pn5/q5N1/P7/1BP5/5PPP/R5K1 b - - 1 21

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