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

Rating 696 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks c1/e1; bishop d3; knights c3/f3; pawns a3/b2/c2/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c8/e8; bishops b7/f6; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1b3ppp/pqn1pb2/1p1P4/8/P1NB1N1P/1PP1QPP1/2R1R1K1 b - - 0 17

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