Bible Chess

Exodus Chess Puzzles: Mate in 2

World 3 of 10 · 41 puzzles · Mate in 2

Mate in 2 puzzles: play a first move that leaves the opponent no good answer, then deliver mate. Often the first move is a check, sometimes a quiet move that closes the last escape square.

Exodus, a world of Bible Chess
The story of Exodus told with chess pieces, picture 1 of 3
In Egypt, God’s people are slaves, and Pharaoh will not let them go.
The story of Exodus told with chess pieces, picture 2 of 3
At last they flee, but Pharaoh’s chariots chase them to the sea.
The story of Exodus told with chess pieces, picture 3 of 3
Moses lifts his staff, and the sea opens a path. Think two moves ahead.

Here are 6 of the 41 puzzles from this world, from first to last. Your pieces are gold and you move first; your side is at the bottom of the board. Missing squares are water: no piece can stand on them, the Tower, Prophet and Judge can’t cross them, and only the Scout jumps over.

Level 1 · Mate in 2

The sea opens a single path.

Gold: Tower e2, Shepherd f2, Shepherd g2, Shepherd h2, Tower e1, King g1. Stone: Tower d8, King g8, Shepherd f7, Shepherd g7, Shepherd h7.

Show the solution
  1. Tower e2 to e8. Stone answers: Tower d8 to e8, taking the Tower.
  2. Tower e1 to e8, taking the Tower. Checkmate!
Yahweh will fight for you, and you shall be still.
Exodus 14:14 · WEB

Level 9 · Mate in 2

A pillar of fire by night.

Gold: Tower f8, King h8, Tower f2. Stone: Shepherd g5, Tower g4, King g3.

Show the solution
  1. Tower f8 to f3. Stone answers: King g3 to h4.
  2. Tower f2 to h2. Checkmate!
…the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn’t depart from before the people.
Exodus 13:22 · WEB

Level 17 · Mate in 2

Darkness for Egypt, light for Israel.

Gold: Prophet f7, Judge h5, King e2. Stone: King h7, Shepherd h6.

Show the solution
  1. Judge h5 to g6. Stone answers: King h7 to h8.
  2. Judge g6 to h6, taking the Shepherd. Checkmate!
It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and one didn’t come near the other all night.
Exodus 14:20 · WEB

Level 25 · Mate in 2

Not one of them is left behind.

Gold: Scout d7, Tower g4, King f3. Stone: King h7, Shepherd h6.

Show the solution
  1. Scout d7 to f6. Stone answers: King h7 to h8.
  2. Tower g4 to g8. Checkmate!
He brought them out with silver and gold. There was not one feeble person among his tribes.
Psalm 105:37 · WEB

Level 33 · Mate in 2

They see what God has done, and they trust him.

Gold: King h5, Judge g4, Shepherd h4. Stone: Shepherd g3, Shepherd f2, King g2, Shepherd h2.

Show the solution
  1. Shepherd h4 to h3. Stone answers: King g2 to f1.
  2. Judge g4 to d1. Checkmate!
Israel saw the great work which Yahweh did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Yahweh; and they believed in Yahweh, and in his servant Moses.
Exodus 14:31 · WEB

Level 41 · Mate in 2

Rest by the water. The journey goes on.

Gold: Scout g5, Judge h4, Tower f2, King h2. Stone: King g8, Tower e7, Shepherd g6.

Show the solution
  1. Tower f2 to f8. Stone answers: King g8 to f8, taking the Tower.
  2. Judge h4 to h8. Checkmate!
You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy habitation.
Exodus 15:13 · WEB

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