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

Rating 1038 · Beginner · attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/d8; bishops b3/f6; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/c7; bishops c8/f8; pawns a7/c6/e6/f3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxg2 — pawn f3→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1bR1bk1/p1r2p1p/2p1pBp1/8/8/1B3p2/PPP3PP/2KR4 b - - 1 19

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