Chess Puzzle #084Ej — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 763 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rooks a1/f4; bishops d3/f6; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/e8; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c7/e5/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king g8→h7, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook f4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  3. Best move: Rh8# — rook h4→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pbp2p1Q/1pnq1Bp1/4p3/3P1R2/2PB4/PP4PP/R5K1 b - - 0 18

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