Chess Puzzle #1SRLF — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 738 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king d2; rook d5; bishop d4; pawn f3. Black: king g8; rooks a3/e1; pawns f7/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh1 — rook e1→h1. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
  3. Best move: Rh8# — rook d8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/6p1/3R4/3B4/r4P2/3K4/4r3 b - - 2 41

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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