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

Rating 1040 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen b4; rook h1; bishop b5; knights c3/f3; pawns a3/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e7; queen c7; rooks b8/c8; bishop f5; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd8 — king e7→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen b4→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen f8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rr5/ppq1kppp/4pn2/1B1p1b2/1Q1P4/P1N1PN1P/5PP1/4K2R b K - 9 18

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