Chess Puzzle #EpCp9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1626 · Advanced · clearance, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks d4/e1; bishop e3; knights c3/f4; pawns a2/b3/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops d7/e7; knight d6; pawns a7/b6/c7/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c7→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ng6+ — knight f4→g6, gives check. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rh4# — rook d4→h4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2qr2k/p1pbb1pp/1p1n1p2/3Q4/3R1N2/1PN1B3/P1P2PPP/4R1K1 b - - 4 18

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