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

Rating 1913 · Advanced · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e2; rooks a5/a6; knight c3; pawns b2/b3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king c5; rook h8; bishops c2/f8; knight f6; pawns c6/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd4 — king c5→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra4+ — rook a5→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d4→c5).
  3. Best move: Rc4# — rook a4→c4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rc4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5b1r/5p1p/R1pp1np1/R1k5/5P2/1PN4P/1Pb1K1P1/8 b - - 17 32

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

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