Chess Puzzle #1qqSA — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 974 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king c2; rooks a1/h1; bishops e5/f1; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/e3/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d8/h8; bishops e6/g7; knight a5; pawns a7/b7/c5/f6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc3 — bishop e5→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bb3+ — bishop e6→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c2→b1).
  3. Best move: Rd1# — rook d8→d1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pp4bp/4bpp1/n1p1B3/4P3/P3PNP1/1PK2P1P/R4B1R w - - 0 18

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