Chess Puzzle #KjNfs — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1796 · Advanced · deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king a1; queen d2; rooks b1/c2; knights f3/g3; pawns a2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks b6/b8; bishop e7; knight d7; pawns a7/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rcb2 — rook c2→b2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa2+ — queen a5→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxa2 (rook b2→a2, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxb1# — rook b6→b1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p2nbpp1/1r2p2p/q6P/3P4/2P2NN1/P1RQ1PP1/KR6 w - - 5 25

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