Chess Puzzle #1Xvi5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 893 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rook f1; knight f7; pawns a2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks b8/e2; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qg6 — queen h5→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen c7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rb3k1/ppQ2Npp/8/3p3q/8/8/P1P1r1PP/5R1K b - - 1 20

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