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

Rating 1064 · Beginner · back rank mate, deflection, discovered attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f3; bishop d3; knights e5/f5; pawns a4/b2/c2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knights d7/e4; pawns a6/b7/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight d7→e5, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight f5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f3→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/1p1n2pp/p7/3pNN2/P3n3/3BPR2/1PP3PP/R5K1 b - - 0 19

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