Chess Puzzle #1qh3H — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 989 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g2; rook f7; knight g4; pawns a3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g5; rook b2; knight e4; pawns b6/e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: h4+ — pawn h3→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg4 (king g5→g4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rf4# — rook f7→f4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rf4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5R1p/1p2p1p1/6k1/4n1N1/P5PP/1r3PK1/8 b - - 0 32

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