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

Rating 1408 · Intermediate · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks d3/d8; pawns a2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b8/f8; bishop c8; pawns a6/c3/c5/e6/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c2 — pawn c3→c2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rg3+ — rook d3→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rbR1rk1/5p1p/p3pp2/2p5/4P3/2pR4/P5PP/7K b - - 1 26

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