Chess Puzzle #2JI0c — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1400 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king e3; rooks g3/g5; bishop f3; knight h2; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/e5/h5. Black: king h6; rooks f4/f7; bishop b7; knights e7/f8; pawns a4/b3/c4/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nh7 — knight f8→h7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg6+ — rook g5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Nxg6 (knight e7→g6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxg6# — rook g3→g6, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxg6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5n2/1b2nr2/4p2k/3pP1RP/p1pP1r2/PpP1KBR1/1P5N/8 b - - 8 44

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