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

Rating 1102 · Beginner · kingside attack, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/f1; knights f6/g5; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks d8/e8; knights b6/f4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen c2→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen h7→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/ppp2ppp/1n3N2/3Pp1N1/2P2nq1/1P6/P1Q2PPP/R4RK1 b - - 4 20

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