Chess Puzzle #1Oi6M — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 861 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/d4; pawns b3/e3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen b6; pawns a6/f7/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb3 — queen b6→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook d4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  3. Best move: Rc8# — rook c1→c8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5ppk/pq4p1/8/3R4/1P2P3/6PP/2R3K1 b - - 2 30

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