11 Toughest Mate-In-2 Puzzles from Real Games

Prepare to test your tactical skill with a collection of the 11 toughest mate-in-2 puzzles sourced directly from real games on Lichess.

White to move.

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This game is from an online match between players rated around 1900, with a time control of 15+15. It’s no surprise that White missed the mate.

White to move.

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Black to move.

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This game was played between a FIDE Master (White) and a player rated 2500 online (Black). Black played 31…Bg3+ (sounds like the most human move in an online game right) and missed the mate-in-2. The game eventually ended in a draw.

Black to move.

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Black to move.

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White’s 34th move was a6-a7, forfeiting the opportunity for a mate-in-4 and allowing Black to deliver mate-in-2. What a turn of events.

White to move.

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Black to move.

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This puzzle is intriguing because, regardless of Black’s move, White will only have ONE checkmate option.

Black to move.

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White to move.

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White to move.

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Black to move.

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And we have a winner here. I meant in the last puzzle, Black solved it in a real game, playing against a FIDE Master. Solving these tough puzzles wouldn’t be easy in an online fast time control. Out of the 11 puzzles above, only one time it was solved during a game.

You might think that you’ve solved plenty of harder Mate-in-2 puzzles. If you want some tougher puzzles, but not from real games, you can check out our post on the 11 Most Tricky Mate-in-2 puzzles. Some of the puzzles from that article are so difficult that even Magnus Carlsen and other top players might take a few minutes to solve them.

These 11 mate-in-2 puzzles from real games somehow reveal the depths of chess strategy and tactics. From brilliant sacrifices to subtle maneuvers or quiet moves, each puzzle showcases the creativity that defines the game of chess.