Chess Puzzle #2U5s2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1189 · Beginner · discovered attack, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c4; knights c3/f7; pawns a2/b2/d4/d5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/f8; bishops b6/c8; knight e3; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop b6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nh6+ — knight f7→h6, gives check. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen f3→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/ppp2Npp/1b6/3P4/2BP3q/2N1nQ1P/PP4P1/R4RK1 b - - 1 15

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