Chess Puzzle #3ln0k — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1086 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king g2; rook d1; bishop e3; knight b5; pawns a4/b2/c4/e4/f2/f3/h3. Black: king c8; queen b4; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Na7+ — knight b5→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp2p2/5n1p/1N4p1/PqP1P3/4BP1P/1P3PK1/3R4 b - - 2 21

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