Chess Puzzle #12ADO — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 502 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d7; bishop h6; pawns f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a4/a8; bishop c3; pawns b7/f5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bh8 — bishop c3→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p1R1p1p/6pB/5p2/r7/2b3P1/5P1P/3R2K1 b - - 3 31

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