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

Rating 746 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rooks a7/e1; knight c3; pawns b2/c2/d5/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks d8/h8; bishop b7; pawns b5/b6/c7/d6/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxe5 — pawn d6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxa8 (bishop b7→a8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxa8# — queen a1→a8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxa8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/Rbpq1p2/1p1pp1pp/1p1PP3/8/2N5/1PP2PPP/Q3R1K1 b - - 1 29

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