Chess Puzzle #2zpfR — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1027 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a6/c1; knights c2/c5; pawns b3/b4/d4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king d6; rook f6; bishops c6/f2; knight h5; pawns b5/c7/d5/g4/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook c1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ng3+ — knight h5→g3, gives check. Opponent replies hxg3 (pawn h2→g3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rh6# — rook f6→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p4p/R1bk1r2/1pNp3n/1P1P2p1/1P2P3/2N2bPP/2R4K w - - 3 36

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