Chess Puzzle #1Kqlt — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 438 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king b1; rooks e1/e3; bishop g6; pawns b3/c2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; rooks b5/d8; bishop f6; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp4p1/1np2bBp/1r5P/8/1P2R3/2P3P1/1K2R3 b - - 15 38

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