Chess Puzzle #41YRe — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1159 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king d3; bishop c2; knight d5; pawns a3/b3/c4/f5/h4. Black: king a5; bishops d6/h5; pawns a6/b5/c5/f6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Be5 — bishop d6→e5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b3→b4, gives check. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: axb4# — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with axb4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/p2b1p2/kppN1P1b/2P4P/PP1K4/2B5/8 b - - 6 40

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