Chess Puzzle #2f2So — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1147 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks e1/g3; pawns a2/c3/d4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks c7/c8; pawns a7/b7/d5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/ppr3pp/4Q3/3p1p2/3P3q/2P3R1/P4PP1/4R1K1 b - - 0 25

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