Chess Puzzle #2G46K — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 635 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d2; bishop b6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen h8; rook e8; bishops d7/f8; pawns a6/b7/c4/e6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc6 — bishop d7→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook e8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k2rb1q/1p1b1p1p/pB2p3/8/2p5/2N5/PPPR1PPP/3R2K1 b - - 7 17

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