Chess Puzzle #36EAn — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; rook h1; bishops b5/c1; knight g1; pawns b2/c6/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a1/h8; bishops b7/f8; knight g8; pawns e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc8 — bishop b7→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c7+ — pawn c6→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c8→d7).
3. Best move: c8=Q# — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, discovered attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, promotion, short. The combination ends with c8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kbnr/1b2pppp/2P5/1B6/8/4P3/1P3PPP/r1BK2NR b k - 0 12

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.