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

Rating 1165 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c8; bishops d6/d7; pawns a3/f3/g2/h5. Black: king g7; rook b7; bishop f7; pawns a7/b6/e5/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook b7→d7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxe5+ — bishop d6→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g7→h7).
  3. Best move: Rh8# — rook c8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/pr1B1bk1/1p1B3p/4p1pP/8/P4P2/6P1/6K1 b - - 0 35

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