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

Rating 1301 · Intermediate · arabian mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, pin.

Position

White: king a6; rook g5; knight d5; pawns a4/b5/c5/g4. Black: king g8; rooks b7/b8; knight f8; pawns a7/d6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxc5 — pawn d6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight d5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rh5+ — rook g5→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Nh7 (knight f8→h7).
  4. Best move: Rxh7# — rook h5→h7, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

arabian mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, pin. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r3nk1/pr3pp1/K2p4/1PPN2R1/P5P1/8/8/8 b - - 2 41

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