Chess Puzzle #9lKWX — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1429 · Intermediate · epaulette mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; rooks d3/f1; bishop b6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen g7; rooks d7/h8; bishop e7; pawns b7/c7/d6/f6/g3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxb6 — pawn c7→b6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
  3. Best move: Rc3# — rook d3→c3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

epaulette mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rc3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/1pprb1q1/1B1p1p2/Q2P4/8/3R2pP/PPP3P1/5RK1 b - - 4 29

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