Chess Puzzle #3XQp0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1154 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f1; rook a1; bishops c1/d5; knight e6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook a8; bishops c8/e5; knight e8; pawns a7/b7/c5/d4/e7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe6 — bishop c8→e6, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f1→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Bg8 (bishop e6→g8).
  3. Best move: Qxg8# — queen f8→g8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bqn2k/pp2p2p/4N1p1/2pBb3/3p4/3P2P1/PPP4P/R1B2QK1 b - - 0 16

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