Chess Puzzle #JmVzW — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1547 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/g7; bishops e2/e5; knights f1/g1; pawns b3/c2/e3/f5/h4. Black: king b6; rooks a1/a8; bishop b4; knights e4/f6; pawns b7/c6/d5/f7/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxa1 — bishop e5→a1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa1+ — rook a8→a1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c1→b2).
  3. Best move: Bc3# — bishop b4→c3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Bc3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r7/1p3pR1/1kp2n2/3pBP1p/1b2n2P/1P2P3/2P1B3/r1KR1NN1 w - - 1 25

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