Chess Puzzle #ZfTt4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; bishop c4; knights d6/g4; pawns a2/g3/h3. Black: king g5; rook c8; bishop b1; knight h5; pawns a3/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h4+ — pawn h3→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg4 (king g5→g4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Be2# — bishop c4→e2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Be2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/7p/3N2p1/6kn/2B3N1/p5PP/P6K/1b6 b - - 6 37

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