Chess Puzzle #2AJFz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 566 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen a3; rooks a7/e1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/c3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king b7; queen d7; rooks e7/e8; bishops e4/e5; pawns c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc8 — king b7→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxa8 (bishop e4→a8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxa8# — queen a3→a8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxa8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/Rkpqrppp/3p4/4b3/4b1P1/Q1P1B2P/PPP2P2/2K1R3 b - - 2 24

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