Chess Puzzle #42IZz — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1381 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; bishops b1/f6; pawns e5/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d4; rook f8; bishop d5; pawns a3/a6/c3/e6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh5+ — queen e2→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h5→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/5p1k/p3pBp1/3bP2p/3q4/p1p4P/4Q1P1/1B5K b - - 1 33

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