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

Rating 1156 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/e5; bishops c6/g5; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rooks d8/e8; bishops c2/e7; knight d5; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxg5 — bishop e7→g5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e5→e8, captures rook, 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, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rrk2/p1p1bppp/2B5/3nR1B1/8/2N2P2/PPb3PP/4R1K1 b - - 0 18

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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