Chess Puzzle #HGb6v — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1440 · Intermediate · back rank mate, fork, mate, mate in 2, opening, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/h1; bishops c4/g3; knights d5/g1; pawns a2/b2/c5/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/g7; knights e5/g8; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc4 — knight e5→c4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nc7+ — knight d5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
  3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, fork, mate, mate in 2, opening, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k1nr/pp2ppb1/7p/2PNn1p1/2B1P3/6B1/PP3PPP/2KR2NR b kq - 4 12

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