Chess Puzzle #0JJJu — Beginner, White to move, opening

Rating 604 · Beginner · mate, mate in 1, one move, opening, smothered mate.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops b5/f6; knights e4/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e5/f2/g2/h6. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/g8; bishops b7/f8; knights d7/e7; pawns a7/b6/c6/d6/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (1 move)

  1. Opponent setup: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxd6# — knight e4→d6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 1, one move, opening, smothered mate. The combination ends with Nxd6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2qkbr1/pb1nnp1p/1ppppBpP/1B2P3/3PN3/5N2/PPP2PP1/R2QK2R b KQq - 1 12

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