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

Rating 1035 · Beginner · endgame, hook mate, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king c1; rook e7; knight d7; pawns a3/b4/c2/d3/g3/h2. Black: king a6; rooks d6/h8; knight h3; pawns a7/c6/d5/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf2 — knight h3→f2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight d7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a6→b6).
  3. Best move: Rb7# — rook e7→b7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, hook mate, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7r/p2NR3/k1pr4/3p3p/1P4p1/P2P2Pn/2P4P/2K5 b - - 3 38

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