Chess Puzzle #1v8kN — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 668 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/e3; bishop c4; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/d5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; rooks e8/g8; bishops d6/d7; knight g5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bh3 — bishop d7→h3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook g8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k1r1r1/pppb4/3b1p1p/2NP2n1/2BP4/2P1R1P1/PP3P1P/4R2K b - - 12 25

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