Chess Puzzle #3J2jZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rook d4; bishop b2; knight f8; pawns a2/b3/c2/e3/g3/h3. Black: king h6; queen h1; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop c8→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook d4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king h6→g5).
3. Best move: Nxh7# — knight f8→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Nxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2N2/ppp2p1p/3p2pk/8/3R4/1P2P1PP/PBPK4/7q b - - 1 22

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.