Chess Puzzle #21zmM — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 821 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks c1/e3; knight b3; pawns a2/f3/h2. Black: king f8; rooks a3/f4; bishop e7; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf6 — bishop e7→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop f6→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/p3bppp/8/8/5r2/rN2RP2/P6P/2R4K b - - 2 32

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