Chess Puzzle #3TicJ — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1369 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king d3; bishop e6; pawns a2/b2/c2/g4. Black: king b4; rook g7; pawns a5/b5/c5/d5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a3+ — pawn a2→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b4→a4).
  3. Best move: Bb3# — bishop e6→b3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Bb3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/6r1/4B3/pppp4/1k4P1/3K4/PPP5/8 b - - 1 44

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