Chess Puzzle #7y28O — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2288 · Expert · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short.

Position

White: king d5; rooks c1/h1; knight b3; pawns a2/f3/f5/g4/h5. Black: king b7; rooks d3/e8; bishop b5; pawns a7/b6/f6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight b3→d4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re5+ — rook e8→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d5→d6).
  3. Best move: Rxd4# — rook d3→d4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Rxd4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pk6/1p3p2/1b1K1P1P/6P1/1N1r1P2/P7/2R4R w - - 0 40

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