Chess Puzzle #24ssA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 964 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks f1/g6; bishops b1/b2; pawns a2/b3/e5/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop f4; knight d5; pawns b6/c5/e6/f7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen e4→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
  3. Best move: Qh7# — queen g6→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1r2/5pk1/1p2p1Rp/2pnP3/4Qb1P/1P6/PB3PP1/1B3RK1 b - - 0 22

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