Chess Puzzle #3n2Yf — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1268 · Intermediate · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks e5/g2; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d5; rooks c2/f8; bishop d6; pawns a6/b7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook e5→d5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rg1 (rook g2→g1).
  3. Best move: Rxh2# — rook c2→h2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1p4pp/p2b4/3qR3/3P4/1N2P3/PPr3RP/7K w - - 0 28

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