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

Rating 795 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen f7; rook f1; pawns a3/b2/c2/g6/h5. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook b8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/e4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook b8→f8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/pp3Qp1/2p3Pp/3p2qP/4p3/P7/1PP5/1K3R2 b - - 3 28

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