Chess Puzzle #1yus4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 709 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/f5; bishop c4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/g2. Black: king g7; rooks a8/f8; bishop c5; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f6/g4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Raf1 — rook a1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook f8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Rh5 (rook f5→h5).
  3. Best move: Rxh5# — rook h8→h5, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/pp4k1/2p2p2/2b1pR2/2B1P1p1/2NP4/PPP3P1/R6K w - - 0 20

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

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