Chess Puzzle #2EZUF — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1115 · Beginner · deflection, endgame, interference, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame.

Position

White: king f1; rooks e1/e7; pawns a4/d5/f3. Black: king f7; rooks a2/h3; pawns a5/c5/c7/d6/f5/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg6 — king f7→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: R1e6+ — rook e1→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g6→h5).
  3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook e7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, interference, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p1Rk1p/3p4/p1pP1pp1/P7/5P1r/r7/4RK2 b - - 3 40

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