Chess Puzzle #4W8jh — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1043 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king c3; rooks a1/h1; bishop b3; pawns a3/b2/c2/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d8/f8; bishop e6; pawns a5/b5/c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rhe1 — rook h1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a3→b4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: cxb4# — pawn c5→b4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with cxb4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/5ppp/4b3/ppp5/4P3/PBK4P/1PP2PP1/R6R w - - 1 17

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