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

Rating 1154 · Beginner · deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/a6; knights e4/e5; pawns b5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b7; queen d2; rooks a8/h8; pawns c7/f7/g7/h4. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb2 — queen d2→b2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king b7→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxa8# — rook a6→a8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxa8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6r/1kp2pp1/R7/1P2N3/4N2p/7P/3q1PP1/R5K1 b - - 1 28

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