Chess Puzzle #3P1HR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1184 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king b3; queen b7; rook d3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen c5; rooks a8/h8; pawns a7/b5/c6/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf3+ — rook d3→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Qf7# — queen b7→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4k1r/pQ5p/2p3p1/1pq1p3/4P3/1K1R2P1/PPP4P/8 b - - 2 29

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