Mate in 2

Chess Puzzle No. 317: Checkmate in two: can you spot it before Black does?

Posted on 14 November 2026 by Delphine D.

14
Nov

In this bullet (2+1) game from January 2019 between players rated around 1800, following a Caro-Kann Defence (Maróczy Variation), Black just played Bxb5 on move 23. White to play: find the mate in two.

Mate in 2HardWhite to play

White to play and mate in 2

Puzzle: Lichess open database (CC0) · Pieces: Cburnett, Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

See the solution explained

Rh8+ gives check to the black king and leaves the opponent only one legal reply.

Nxh8 is therefore forced: the knight captures the rook on h8.

Qh7# delivers the final check. The black king on g8 is in check and cannot escape it: checkmate.

In the real game, the player found neither Rh8+ nor the follow-up: they played Bxb5 and, after Black's gxf4, Rh1, eventually winning on time. Remember the pattern: a rook sacrifice to clear the h7 square for a swift mate on the kingside.

The Caro-Kann Defence, played here by Black, remains one of the most solid and well-studied openings across generations of players. For training on a worthy set, you might look at a fine wood chess board or a classic Staunton chess set.

Delphine D.

Delphine D. is the lead writer of the editorial team at Le Palais des Échecs, a shop specialising since 2008 in wooden chess sets, chessboards and backgammon sets. Her guides draw on the shop's hands-on experience: more than 5,000 customers advised and a catalogue built around the woods that make beautiful sets. Pale, very fine-grained boxwood set against ebony or rosewood for the pieces; maple, walnut and mahogany for the boards; palisander, olive wood or burr wood for exceptional models. Choosing a set for a child, a wedding or retirement gift, comparing woods, having a board engraved: she helps every reader find the set that suits them. Find out more about Delphine D. and the editorial team - Facebook - Pinterest - Youtube