Chess Puzzle #4hiR2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1154 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rook c1; knight d5; pawns a4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king f8; rook f3; bishop b6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra3 — rook f3→a3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop b6→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5k2/p4pp1/1b5p/3N4/P4P2/5rP1/7P/2R4K b - - 5 38

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