Chess Puzzle #0i4H1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1065 · Beginner · fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen c4; rooks d1/h1; bishop b3; knight f6; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/e8; bishop g7; knight c5; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop g7→f6, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c4→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qxf6# — queen f7→f6, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/pp3pbp/5Np1/q1n5/2Q5/1B2P3/PPP2PPP/2KR3R b - - 0 17

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