Chess Puzzle #2ple1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1015 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks b7/c1; bishop e3; pawns a4/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks d6/d8; bishop e5; pawns f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxe6 — queen b3→e6, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d6→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1R3p2/3rq1p1/4b2p/P7/1Q2B2P/1P3PP1/2R3K1 w - - 1 33

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