Chess Puzzle #4z0ln — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1236 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen g6; rooks d1/h5; bishop d2; knight c3; pawns b2/b3/b4/e4/f5/g2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop d3; pawns c6/d5/e5/f6/g7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rdh1 — rook d1→h1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a8→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Nb1 (knight c3→b1).
  3. Best move: Rxb1# — rook a1→b1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/6p1/2p2pQ1/3ppP1R/1P2P3/1PNb4/1P1B2P1/2KR4 w - - 2 26

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