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

Rating 1036 · Beginner · endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks h1/h7; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/f3/g5. Black: king g8; rooks e6/e8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  3. Best move: R1h7# — rook h1→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with R1h7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppp2p1R/2n1r1p1/3p2P1/3P4/3B1P2/PPP2P2/2K4R b - - 0 18

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