Chess Puzzle #0SITb — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/e3; knights d5/e7; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop e6; knight b8; pawns a6/b5/c5/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop e6→d5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h5→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rh3# — rook e3→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

Anastasia’s mate, attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn1q1r1k/4Nppp/p3b3/1ppNp2Q/4P3/4R3/PPP2PPP/R5K1 b - - 5 16

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.