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

Rating 1136 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rook f1; pawns a3/c4/d5/e4/g2/h5. Black: king g7; queen f8; bishops a4/e5; pawns a6/c5/d6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qh8 — queen f8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
  3. Best move: Qxg6# — queen f7→g6, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5q2/5pk1/p2p2p1/2pPb2P/b1P1P3/P4Q2/6P1/5R1K b - - 0 46

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