Chess Puzzle #2nM6k — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1518 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook h3; knight f8; pawns c3/d4/e5/g2. Black: king f5; rook e1; bishop d3; pawns a4/c4/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: g4+ — pawn g2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f5→g5).
  3. Best move: Nh7# — knight f8→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Nh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5N2/5p2/6p1/4Pk2/p1pP4/2Pb1K1R/6P1/4r3 b - - 0 52

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