Chess Puzzle #20H3u — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 631 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks f1/f3; bishop d6; pawns b5/e5/g2/h4. Black: king g8; rooks c8/d7; knight a4; pawns a5/b6/e6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxe5 — pawn f6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f3→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook c8→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/3r2pp/1p1Bpp2/pP2P3/n6P/5R2/6P1/5R1K b - - 0 32

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