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

Position

White: king c5; rook a1; knight e5; pawns c3/g6. Black: king g8; rook f5; knight e7; pawns c4/d5/e6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook f5→e5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Nc8 (knight e7→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook a8→c8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4n1p1/4p1Pp/2KpNr2/2p5/2P5/8/R7 b - - 5 45

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