Chess Puzzle #4Tf3P — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1016 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rooks f1/g3; bishop e5; pawns b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook f8; bishops d4/d5; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king g8→h7, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh3+ — rook g3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
  3. Best move: Rh8# — rook h3→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p4p1Q/1p2p1p1/q2bB3/3b4/6R1/1P3PPP/5RK1 b - - 0 23

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