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

Rating 1173 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks e3/h5; pawns b3/c4/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook e8; pawns a5/b6/c7/f7/g7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen f3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e3→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen a8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/2p2pp1/1p4q1/p6R/2P4P/1P2RQP1/8/7K b - - 0 37

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