Chess Puzzle #F3tzT — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1568 · Intermediate · deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b1/e1; bishop f4; knight b5; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rooks d7/e8; bishop f5; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c4/c7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight e5→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bh6+ — bishop f4→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rk2/pppr1p1p/8/1N2nb2/2p2B2/8/P1P2PPP/1R2R1K1 b - - 1 19

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