Chess Puzzle #3CGqp — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1117 · Beginner · attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen d1; rook a3; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/f4/h3. Black: king a7; queen c7; rook g8; knight f6; pawns a6/b6/c5/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook g8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxa6+ — rook a3→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa6 (king a7→a6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qa4# — queen d1→a4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qa4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/k1q5/pp3np1/2p2p1p/2P2P2/R4B1P/PP3P2/1K1Q4 b - - 0 43

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