Chess Puzzle #MCnj3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1414 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rook c1; knight d3; pawns a4/d4/e6. Black: king e8; queen g3; rook a7; bishops e7/h3; pawns a5/b6/e3/g6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop h3→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop e7→d8).
  3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen d5→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/r3b3/1p2P1p1/p2Q4/P2P4/3Np1qb/8/2R4K b - - 0 34

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