Chess Puzzle #3MYsK — Beginner, White to move, opening

Rating 1001 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h5; bishops c4/g5; knights c3/g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/g7; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d7/e4/e7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxh5 — pawn g6→h5, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh5+ — queen d1→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qf7# — queen h5→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, opening, short. The combination ends with Qf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rnbqk2r/pp1pp1bp/2p3p1/6BR/2BPp3/2N5/PPP2PP1/R2QK1N1 b Qkq - 0 8

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