Chess Puzzle #1Q7J9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 779 · Beginner · master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g7; rooks c1/d1; bishop e5; pawns a2/b3/e4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b7; rook c6; bishop b5; knight e8; pawns a6/e6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxg7 — knight e8→g7, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight g7→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4n1k1/1q3pQp/p1r1p3/1b2B3/4P3/1P3PP1/P6P/2RR2K1 b - - 0 27

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