Chess Puzzle #3lJ5A — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1344 · Intermediate · deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king e2; rooks d4/g1; bishop b5; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g4/h3. Black: king c8; rooks d8/h8; bishops c2/f8; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb3 — bishop c2→b3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ba6+ — bishop b5→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d4→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1b1r/p1p2ppp/1p6/1B6/3R2P1/1N5P/PPb1KP2/6R1 b - - 0 19

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