Chess Puzzle #2S0lE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 758 · Beginner · kingside attack, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen d3; rooks d1/h1; bishop c2; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/c4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/d8; bishop b7; knight g4; pawns a7/b6/c5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop b7→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h7→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/pb2qppp/1p2p3/2p5/2PP2n1/P2Q1N2/1PB2PPP/2KR3R b - - 3 18

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