Chess Puzzle #3FNce — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1263 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks a1/g3; bishops d3/e5; pawns a2/c4/d4/e4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f7; bishop a4; knight b6; pawns a6/b7/c7/e6/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight b6→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg6+ — rook g3→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h6→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/1pp2r1p/pn2p1pQ/4Bp2/b1PPPP2/3B2R1/P5PP/R5K1 b - - 2 20

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