Chess Puzzle #0Expz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1132 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishops f4/g2; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c4/g3/h6. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/d8; bishops c8/f2; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1br2k1/ppq2p1p/2p2p1P/4p3/2P2Bn1/5NP1/PP2QbB1/R3R2K b - - 1 21

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