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

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook b7; knights e3/h5; pawns a4/c4/f2/g4. Black: king g8; rook c3; bishops h4/h7; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop h4→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook b8→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pR3ppb/2p1p2p/7N/P1P3Pb/2r1N3/5P2/6K1 b - - 0 39

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