Chess Puzzle #4gJc2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1095 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king c2; rooks d1/e1; bishop g3; knight c4; pawns b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king a8; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e7/f6/f7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nb6+ — knight c4→b6, gives check. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Ra1# — rook d1→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Ra1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k2r1b1r/pp2pp2/2p1np2/7p/2NP4/2P3B1/1PK2PPP/3RR3 b - - 1 18

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