Chess Puzzle #21BVv — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 991 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king a1; rook d1; bishop b4; pawns a3/g4/h5. Black: king g8; rooks g2/h3; pawns e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook g2→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
  3. Best move: Rf8# — rook d8→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/4p3/7P/1B4P1/P6r/6r1/K2R4 b - - 0 34

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