Chess Puzzle #109Qj — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 764 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king a1; queen c3; rook h1; pawn a2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook g7; knight d7; pawns a4/d5/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d7→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3n1pr1/4p1q1/3p4/p7/2Q5/P7/K6R b - - 19 48

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