Chess Puzzle #5zfML — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1436 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; rooks c1/g7; bishops d4/g2; knight e4; pawns a2/c2/g5. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c8/e8; bishop b7; knight g6; pawns a5/b4/d6/e7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook c1→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Nf4 (knight g6→f4).
  3. Best move: Rxf4# — rook f1→f4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1bq1p1R1/3p2n1/p5P1/1p1BN3/8/P1P3B1/1KR5 b - - 0 29

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