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

Rating 1014 · Beginner · deflection, discovered attack, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks e7/f1; knight f7; pawns a3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a4/f8; bishop b2; pawns b7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxa3 — bishop b2→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nh6+ — knight f7→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p2RN2/6p1/8/r7/P6P/1b4P1/5RK1 b - - 0 27

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