Chess Puzzle #2OJ7M — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 619 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king h2; rooks d1/e2; bishop c5; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook a8; bishop c8; knight g6; pawns a4/c4/c6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd1 — queen d8→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Nf8 (knight g6→f8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bq2k1/5ppp/2p3n1/2B5/p1p5/P1P2N1P/1P2RPPK/3R4 b - - 0 22

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