Chess Puzzle #3B9XY — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1029 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king e2; rook d1; bishops b3/e3; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/h2. Black: king c8; rook h8; bishop f8; knights e5/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Na7+ — knight b5→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2b1r/ppp1pppp/5n2/1N2n3/4P3/1B2B3/PP2KP1P/3R4 b - - 0 15

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