Chess Puzzle #36iIG — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1009 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishop f6; knights c3/g5; pawns a2/b2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops b7/c5; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen d8→f6, captures bishop. 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, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2qr1k1/1b3ppp/p1n2B2/1pbp2N1/8/1PNQ4/PP3PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 18

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