Chess Puzzle #22lCx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1001 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen f7; rook f1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g2; rook a8; bishop g5; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight c6→e5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/pp3Qp1/2n4p/6b1/8/3B4/PPP3qP/1K3R2 b - - 1 24

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