Chess Puzzle #1ifL5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 944 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen f7; rook d1; bishop b1; pawns c2/d5/e4/f2/g2. Black: king h7; queen a3; rooks b2/c8; bishops a6/c3; pawns a7/c4/d6/e7/g6. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bg7 — bishop c3→g7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook d1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Qh3 (queen a3→h3).
  3. Best move: Rxh3# — rook h1→h3, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p3pQ1k/b2p2p1/3P4/2p1P3/q1b5/1rP2PP1/1BKR4 b - - 1 24

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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