Chess Puzzle #1l8If — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 892 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king e3; queen b3; rook e1; bishop d3; knight c3; pawns a4/a6/c5/d4/e5/g3. Black: king c8; queen d8; rook g2; bishop d7; knights e7/g6; pawns b7/c6/d5/e6/f3/g4. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxa6 — pawn b7→a6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxa6+ — bishop d3→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
  3. Best move: Qb6# — queen b3→b6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qb6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kq4/1p1bn3/P1p1p1n1/2PpP3/P2P2p1/1QNBKpP1/6r1/4R3 b - - 0 34

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