Chess Puzzle #1V903 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b1; rooks d2/d3; knight c4; pawns a2/b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a7; rooks a8/c7; knight d5; pawns b4/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight d5→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d3→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d2→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/q1r2pp1/4p2p/3n4/1pN5/1P1R2P1/P2R1P1P/1Q4K1 b - - 3 34

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