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

Rating 630 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/e2; bishop f5; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a7/d8; knight a6; pawns a5/b4/c4/c6/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight a6→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/r4pp1/n1p4p/p2p1B2/1pp5/6N1/PP2RPPP/4R1K1 b - - 3 23

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