Chess Puzzle #Im4yq — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1462 · Intermediate · discovered attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b3; rooks c1/h1; bishops b5/g3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d8/h8; bishops d4/f5; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Be6+ — bishop f5→e6, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nd5+ — knight c3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Bc3 (bishop d4→c3).
  3. Best move: Rxc3# — rook c1→c3, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxc3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pp3ppp/6n1/1B3b2/3b4/1KN3B1/PP3PPP/2R4R b - - 1 17

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