Chess Puzzle #1x5bE — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1000 · Beginner · endgame, hook mate, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d3/f1; knight h4; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g3. Black: king g8; rooks d8/h6; knight g5; pawns a5/c5/d5/f5/g4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf5 — knight h4→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight g5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  3. Best move: Rh2# — rook h6→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hook mate, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/8/7r/p1pp1pn1/6pN/1P1RP1P1/P4P2/5RK1 w - - 2 37

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