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

Rating 733 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/a7; bishop b3; pawns c2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/e7; bishop b7; pawns b5/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a8→a7, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d3→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/Rb2rppp/2p2q2/1p6/4P3/1B1Q1P2/2P3PP/R5K1 b - - 5 26

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