Mate in 2 chess puzzles

Play and solve mate-in-two-moves chess puzzles. You’ll find solutions and historical details and you can play each puzzle live against the computer.

This position occurred in Cristina Iosif vs Almira Skripchenko, Romania, 1992.

Black to move and mate in 2.

4r1k1/pQ3pp1/7p/4q3/4r3/P7/1P2nPPP/2BR1R1K b - - 0 1

Chess puzzle from the game between Isaías Pleci and Lucius Endzelins in Buenos Aires, 1939.

White to move and win in 2.

r4R2/1b2n1pp/p2Np1k1/1pn5/4pP1P/8/PPP1B1P1/2K4R w - - 1 0

Chess puzzle from a simul, Monterinas vs Max Euwe, Amsterdam, 1927.

Black to move and win in 2.

7r/p3ppk1/3p4/2p1P1Kp/2Pb4/3P1QPq/PP5P/R6R b - - 0 1

Puzzle from a simul, Alexander Alekhine vs Fahardo, Montevideo, 1939.

White to move and win in 2.

4r3/pbpn2n1/1p1prp1k/8/2PP2PB/P5N1/2B2R1P/R5K1 w - - 1 0

Paul Morphy vs. Duke of Brunswick & Count Isouard, Paris,1858

The game took place at the Paris Opera, during a show with Norma by Vicenzo Bellini.

White to move and win in 2.

4kb1r/p2n1ppp/4q3/4p1B1/4P3/1Q6/PPP2PPP/2KR4 w k - 1 0

Puzzle from a simul, Thacker vs Robert Fischer, USA, 1957 – a beautiful example of underpromotion.

Black to move and mate in 2.

2r2r2/6kp/3p4/3P4/4Pp2/5P1P/PP1pq1P1/4R2K b - - 0 1