Chess Puzzle #1Lxrr — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1349 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook a1; knights b1/g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook a8; bishops c8/g7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c5/d5/e7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen f7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
  3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/pp2pQb1/2n5/2ppP1N1/3P4/2P5/PP2q1PP/RN4K1 b - - 4 17

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