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The Immortal Game · London, 1851

Legend · Anderssen 1851 · Intermediate

White to move. Mate in 2.

London, 1851. Anderssen is down two rooks and a bishop — and mates in two.

Solve it on the boardWatch the 40-second video
Hint

Your minor pieces are ready to mate. Lure one defender away.

Answer

Qf6+ — Qf6+!! Nxf6 and Be7 is mate. Three minor pieces win.

The idea

Give the queen with check, then a bishop mates. Three small pieces beat a whole army.

This famous game is one of 30 quick puzzles in the Chess in 40 Seconds trainer: find the move on the board, get a hint if you're stuck, and learn the idea so you never fall for it in your own games.

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