Chess Puzzle #2QR4K — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1216 · Intermediate · attraction, endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g2; rooks c1/h1; bishop c4; pawns a2/c3/e4/f2/f5. Black: king h8; rooks b2/d8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rdd2 — rook d8→d2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook h1→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rh1# — rook c1→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/ppp3pp/2n2p2/4pP2/2B1P3/2P5/Pr3PK1/2R4R b - - 1 25

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