Chess Puzzle #4CPlk — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1136 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen h7; rooks a1/g1; bishop e2; knight f5; pawns a2/b2/d5/e4/f2/g4. Black: king f8; queen f6; rooks c2/e8; bishop g7; knight f4; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd1 — bishop e2→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nd3+ — knight f4→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf2# — rook c2→f2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rk2/1p3pbQ/p2p1q2/3PpN2/4PnP1/8/PPr1BP2/R3K1R1 w Q - 3 26

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