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

Rating 599 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks c1/e4; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks b8/h5; bishops e6/f6; pawns a7/c5/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd5 — bishop e6→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook b8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen e2→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1q2ppp/4bb2/2p4r/3pR3/1P3N2/P2NQPPP/2R3K1 b - - 5 21

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