Chess Puzzle #227fX — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1533 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook c1; bishop f5; knights d2/e2; pawns a3/b2/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g7; rook d8; bishops c6/f6; knight e5; pawns a6/b7/f7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight d2→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd3+ — rook d8→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf4 (king e3→f4).
  3. Best move: Rf3# — rook d3→f3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rf3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/1p3pk1/p1b2b1p/4nB2/8/P3K1PP/1P1NNP2/2R5 w - - 1 28

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