Chess Puzzle #0OswC — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1271 · Intermediate · attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, sacrifice.

Position

White: king c1; queen f6; rook h6; bishop c5; pawns a2/b3/c2/f5. Black: king h8; queen d5; rooks d7/g8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f3/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rdg7 — rook d7→g7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook h6→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qh4# — queen f6→h4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/pp1r3p/2p2Q1R/2BqpP2/8/1P3p2/P1P5/2K5 b - - 4 33

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