Chess Puzzle #1I2AA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1121 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king d2; queen b3; rook h6; knights e4/g5; pawns a3/b4/c5/f2/g4. Black: king g7; queen c7; rooks d8/f8; bishop d7; pawns a6/b7/c6/d4/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh6 — king g7→h6, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen b3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h6→g7).
  3. Best move: Qh7# — queen h3→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r2/1pqb2k1/p1p3pR/2P3N1/1P1pN1P1/PQ6/3K1P2/8 b - - 0 27

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