Chess Puzzle #2TZxb — Beginner, White to move, opening

Rating 636 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen h7; rooks a1/f4; bishops e2/e3; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f6/g5/h2. Black: king h8; queen f8; rooks a8/g8; bishops c5/c8; knights b6/e5; pawns a6/b5/c7/d6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king h8→h7, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook f4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Qh6 (queen f8→h6).
  3. Best move: Rxh6# — rook h4→h6, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2qrk/2p2p1Q/pn1p1Pp1/1pb1n1P1/3NPR2/2N1B3/PPP1B2P/R6K b - - 0 19

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