Chess Puzzle #0L37T — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 951 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; bishop c6; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a1; rooks a8/e3; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen c7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e3→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/ppQ2ppp/2B5/8/8/4r3/PP4PP/q5NK b - - 0 18

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