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

Rating 1009 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook c7; pawns d3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king h5; queen g3; rooks e8/h8; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f4/g5. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh4 — king h5→h4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen f7→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Rxh7 (rook h8→h7, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook c7→h7, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2r/2R2Q2/p3p3/1p1p2pk/5p2/3P1PqP/6P1/6K1 b - - 11 39

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