Chess Puzzle #1btvJ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 905 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f1; rook d2; knight g5; pawns b3/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook a8; knight d4; pawns c5/e5/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight g5→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a8→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook a1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/6p1/8/2p1p1N1/3n4/1P5P/2PR1PP1/5K2 w - - 5 32

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