Chess Puzzle #58SyO — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1278 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h8; rook h3; bishops d3/g5; pawns a2/b2/e5/f2/g2. Black: king f8; queen c5; rook c8; bishops b7/g7; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh8 — bishop g7→h8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh8+ — rook h3→h8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
  3. Best move: Bf6# — bishop g5→f6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Bf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k1Q/1b3pb1/p3p1p1/1pq1P1B1/8/3B3R/PP3PP1/6K1 b - - 7 29

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