Chess Puzzle #4WBAP — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rooks a7/c1; bishop e2; knight f4; pawns e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rooks b2/c8; bishop e6; knights c4/e5; pawns d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne3 — knight c4→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight f4→e6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies fxe6 (pawn f7→e6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/R4p1p/3pb1p1/4n3/2n1PN2/5PK1/1r2B1PP/2R5 b - - 2 30

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.