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

Rating 1286 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen b4; rooks d1/e2; pawns a4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks c8/f6; pawns a6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c8→c2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
  3. Best move: Qf8# — queen b4→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/p4rq1/8/PQ6/6P1/4R1KP/3R4 b - - 2 32

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