Chess Puzzle #1tYO1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 705 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b2; rooks d1/e1; bishop c6; pawns a2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/e7; knight g8; pawns a6/b5/f7/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2knr/4bpp1/p1B5/1p4p1/5P2/8/PK4PP/3RR3 b - - 1 19

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