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

Rating 1027 · Beginner · deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen b8; rooks a1/h1; knight a8; pawns a2/b2/c4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen f4; rook h8; bishops d7/f8; knights c1/f3; pawns b7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bc8 — bishop d7→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen b8→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d8→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen c7→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: NQ1k1b1r/1p1bpppp/8/4P3/2P2q2/5n2/PP4PP/R1n2K1R b - - 1 18

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