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Mate in 2 puzzles

54 checkmate-in-two puzzles, rated 886 to 1653 on Lichess, ordered from easy to medium. Every puzzle here is also a card in our printed Mate in 2 deck.

Find the first move. The reply plays for you, then you deliver mate. Only a forced line counts.

Try puzzle #1

White to move. Find the move that forces mate in two.

How to solve mate in 2 puzzles

Start with checks and captures, the most forcing moves. For each candidate, list every reply and make sure each one allows mate next move.

A quiet first move can work too, when it leaves the opponent with no way to stop the mate.

All 54 puzzles

  1. #1White886
  2. #2White918
  3. #3White933
  4. #4Black940
  5. #5Black954
  6. #6White960
  7. #7White987
  8. #8Black987
  9. #9White1013
  10. #10Black1057
  11. #11White1067
  12. #12White1071
  13. #13White1072
  14. #14Black1074
  15. #15White1089
  16. #16White1109
  17. #17White1144
  18. #18Black1154
  19. #19Black1165
  20. #20White1171
  21. #21White1172
  22. #22White1213
  23. #23White1218
  24. #24White1249
  25. #25Black1261
  26. #26White1268
  27. #27Black1297
  28. #28White1302
  29. #29White1305
  30. #30Black1333
  31. #31Black1348
  32. #32White1348
  33. #33White1356
  34. #34White1363
  35. #35White1392
  36. #36White1392
  37. #37Black1405
  38. #38Black1413
  39. #39White1423
  40. #40White1443
  41. #41White1456
  42. #42Black1470
  43. #43White1479
  44. #44White1480
  45. #45Black1484
  46. #46White1517
  47. #47Black1536
  48. #48White1553
  49. #49Black1588
  50. #50White1604
  51. #51White1621
  52. #52White1626
  53. #53White1634
  54. #54Black1653

FAQ

What is a mate in 2 puzzle?

A position where one side can force checkmate in 2 moves, whatever the opponent does.

Where do these puzzles come from?

From the Lichess open puzzle database. Each one is rated between 886 and 1653.

Are they free?

Yes. Every puzzle on this page is free to play with no sign-up.

Can I get them printed?

Yes. All 54 are cards in the printed Mate in 2 deck: puzzle on the front, solution on the back, and a QR code that opens the puzzle here.

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PRINTED CHESS PUZZLE CARDS

Chess puzzle playing card decks

54 poker-size cards in a tuck box. Puzzle on the front, solution on the back.

Shop all decks