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

Rating 1154 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/f1; bishop a3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks d8/h8; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight e5→c4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rfe1+ — rook f1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne3 (knight c4→e3).
  3. Best move: Rxe3# — rook e1→e3, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rk2r/ppp2ppp/8/4n3/8/B7/P4PPP/3R1RK1 b k - 0 17

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