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

Rating 1014 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks a1/f1; bishops d3/h6; knight g4; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/e7; knight f5; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxh6 — knight f5→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxh6+ — knight g4→h6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qh8# — queen e5→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bqr1k1/1p2bp1p/p3p1pB/4Qn2/6N1/P2B4/1P3PPP/R4RK1 b - - 5 17

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