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

Rating 678 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks f1/f2; bishop g6; pawns b2/d3/e4/h3. Black: king h8; queen h5; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/d6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxh4 — queen h5→h4, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f2→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/ppp3p1/3p2B1/7q/3pP2Q/3P3P/1P3R2/5R1K b - - 0 27

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