Chess Puzzle #2PZAx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 881 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks f1/f2; pawns a2/e3/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks e7/e8; pawns a7/b7/d6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qe6 — queen d5→e6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f2→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen h6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp2r2p/3p2pQ/3q4/6P1/4P2P/P4R2/5RK1 b - - 3 42

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