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

Rating 846 · Beginner · clearance, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/f1; bishop b7; knight c7; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; rooks d2/h8; bishop g7; knight d7; pawns a7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb2 — bishop g7→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne6+ — knight c7→e6, gives check. Opponent replies fxe6 (pawn f7→e6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rc8# — rook c1→c8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3k3r/pBNnppbp/6p1/8/8/P7/1P1r1PPP/2R2RK1 b - - 0 19

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