Chess Puzzle #HoU0Z — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1409 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook f2; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/d7/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b6; rooks c2/c4; bishop g7; pawns a6/b7/e5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1p1P2b1/pq4pp/4p3/2r5/1P3NQ1/P1r2RPP/6K1 w - - 0 28

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