Chess Puzzle #1CplE — Beginner, White to move, opening

Rating 1199 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/d3; knights c3/g5; pawns a3/b2/c4/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/f8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop d3→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight f6→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen c2→h7, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, opening, short. The combination ends with Qxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bqrbk1/ppp2ppp/2n1pn2/3p2N1/2PP4/P1NBP3/1PQ2PPP/R1B1K2R b KQ - 2 9

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