Chess Puzzle #4Iq5r — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1116 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rook f1; bishop h6; pawns a2/b2/c5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a7; rook e8; knight b4; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight b4→c6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f3→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/q6p/p3p1pB/1pPp4/1n6/5Q2/PP4PP/5R1K b - - 0 29

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