Chess Puzzle #CNRUL — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king h3; rook f7; bishop c6; pawns a7/c4. Black: king e5; rook a2; knight e4; pawns c5/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: g4+ — pawn g5→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h3→h4).
3. Best move: Rh2# — rook a2→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/P4R2/2B5/2p1k1pp/2P1n3/7K/r7/8 w - - 2 46

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.