Chess Puzzle #CrLRF — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1554 · Intermediate · discovered attack, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin.

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rooks a1/f1; bishops b3/c1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen h5; rook f8; bishop g4; knight f5; pawns a7/b7/d6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight c3→d5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ng3+ — knight f5→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/pp4pp/3pQ3/5n1q/6b1/1BN5/PPPP2PP/R1B2R1K w - - 2 20

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