Chess Puzzle #1d9TE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 501 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen h7; rooks a1/f3; bishops c1/c4; pawns a2/c2/c3/e4/f5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king h8→h7, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh3+ — rook f3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Qh5 (queen e8→h5).
  3. Best move: Rxh5# — rook h3→h5, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b1qr1k/ppp3pQ/2np1p2/5P2/2B1P3/2P2R2/P1P3PP/R1B4K b - - 0 16

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