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

Rating 817 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks e1/e2; bishop f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/g6; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/c4/d4/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen c6→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1b3pp1/p1q3r1/1p6/2pp3Q/5P1P/PPP1R1P1/4RBK1 b - - 0 25

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