Chess Puzzle #778Ql — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1568 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b1/c1; bishop f3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c3; rooks d2/h8; bishop f8; knight f6; pawns a7/c7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 14 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen c3→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bc6+ — bishop f3→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Nd7 (knight f6→d7).
  3. Best move: Rb8# — rook b1→b8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Rb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kb1r/p1p1pppp/5n2/8/8/2q2B2/P2r1PPP/1RR3K1 b k - 1 18

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