Chess Puzzle #43EN2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1212 · Intermediate · deflection, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen g6; rooks c1/g1; bishop h6; pawns a2/b2/d5/e4/f2/h5. Black: king h8; queen d7; rooks f7/f8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b6/d6/e7/f6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh6 — bishop g7→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen g6→h6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rh7 (rook f7→h7).
  3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen h6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p2qprb1/1p1p1pQB/3P3P/4P3/8/PP3P1K/2R3R1 b - - 4 27

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