Chess Puzzle #4M6qs — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1016 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king e3; queen f8; rooks d1/h1; pawns b2/c2/f6/g5. Black: king g8; queen c4; bishop c8; pawns a5/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxf8 — king g8→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
  3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook h1→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2b2Qk1/7p/4pPp1/p5P1/2q5/4K3/1PP5/3R3R b - - 0 31

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