Chess Puzzle #2Jp8c — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1316 · Intermediate · deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rooks a1/e1; knights h4/h7; pawns a2/b2/c2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d5; rooks e8/g7; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c4/c7/d3/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh7 — rook g7→h7, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ng6+ — knight h4→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2b1rk2/ppp2prN/2n2Q2/3q1P2/2p4N/3p4/PPP3PP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 20

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