Chess Puzzle #3tFkT — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1228 · Intermediate · deflection, endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook f1; bishop d3; knight g5; pawns b3/c3/d4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook a8; bishop d7; knight c6; pawns a5/b6/d5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/3b2pp/1pn1p3/p2p2N1/3P4/1PPBP3/6PP/5RK1 b - - 0 20

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