Chess Puzzle #050jP — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 978 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks a1/f1; bishop c2; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; knight e6; pawns a6/b5/d7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen e4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/1b1p1ppp/p3n3/1p1N4/4Q3/8/PPB2PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 18

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.