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

Rating 737 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen h6; rook h1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5/f4/g6. Black: king h8; queen d7; rooks d8/e8; bishop h7; pawns a7/c3/d5/f5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook e8→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h6→h7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh7 (queen d7→h7, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook h1→h7, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rr2k/p2q3b/6PQ/3pPp2/3P1P2/2p1B3/PP4K1/7R b - - 0 30

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