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

Rating 897 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook e1; bishop d3; knights c3/f3; pawns a3/b2/c4/d5/f2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook a8; bishop g4; knight a6; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→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: r5k1/pp3pp1/n2p1q1p/2pP4/2P3b1/P1NB1N2/1P2QP2/4R1K1 b - - 3 20

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