Chess Puzzle #1Q0dI — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1184 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook a8; bishops c8/e5; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c5/f6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb2 — bishop e5→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1bq2k1/pp3pp1/5p1p/2pPb3/2P2Pn1/3B4/PP2Q1P1/R3R2K b - - 0 18

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