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

Rating 1164 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/e6; bishop c4; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop b6; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxc4 — pawn d5→c4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf6+ — rook e6→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Qf7# — queen h5→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2q1k1r/ppp1n2p/1b2Rp2/3p3Q/2B5/2P5/PP3PPP/RN4K1 b - - 0 15

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