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

Rating 1122 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishops g6/g7; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f6; bishop e7; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxg7 — knight e6→g7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen h5→h7, 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: r5k1/ppq1b1B1/3pnrB1/4p2Q/8/8/PPP2PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 18

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