Chess Puzzle #27UFQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 708 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rooks a1/h3; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c8; rooks a8/e5; knights d6/g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh8 (knight g6→h8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxh8# — rook h3→h8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1q3k1/ppp2ppQ/3n2n1/3Nr3/8/7R/PPP2PPP/R5K1 b - - 14 19

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