Chess Puzzle #05xZV — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1179 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; rooks a1/h1; bishop e2; knight b1; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d8/f8; bishop e7; pawns a7/b7/c5/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bh4+ — bishop e7→h4, gives check. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
  3. Best move: Bxg3# — bishop h4→g3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Bxg3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/pp2b1pp/8/2p5/3Pp3/P3P2P/1P2B1P1/RN2K2R w KQ - 0 17

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