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

Rating 560 · Beginner · endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rook e1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook e8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd7 — bishop e6→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e5→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe8 (bishop d7→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3pp1/1q2b2p/3pQ3/5P2/3B4/PPP3PP/4R2K b - - 0 21

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