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

Rating 1135 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen h8; rooks h1/h2; knights c3/e2; pawns a3/b2/c2/f4/g5. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/e8; bishops b7/g7; pawns a6/c4/e3/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh8 — bishop g7→h8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh8+ — rook h2→h8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  3. Best move: R1h7# — rook h1→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with R1h7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1kQ/1bq2pb1/p3p1p1/6P1/2p2P2/P1N1p3/1PP1N2R/2K4R b - - 1 25

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