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

Rating 899 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/e1; bishop c7; knights b1/c4; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c8/e6; bishops b7/c5; knight h5; pawns a6/c6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb6 — bishop c7→b6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ng3+ — knight h5→g3, gives check. Opponent replies hxg3 (pawn h2→g3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rh6# — rook e6→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1bB2ppp/p1p1r3/2b4n/2N1P3/2P2P2/PP4PP/RN2R2K w - - 1 17

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