Chess Puzzle #5MCcp — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1044 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks b1/f3; bishop b3; knight f4; pawns a2/c2/d6/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight e4; pawns a6/b5/c7/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxd6 — pawn c7→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ng6+ — knight f4→g6, gives check. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rh3# — rook f3→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r1k/2p3pp/p2P4/1p2qp2/4nN2/1B2QR2/P1P3PP/1R4K1 b - - 0 21

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