Chess Puzzle #522zE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1020 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king d2; queen c1; rook h8; bishop d3; knights c3/g5; pawns b4/c2/e5/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook f8; bishops b6/d7; knight d4; pawns b7/c7/d5/e6/f5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king g8→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen c1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
  3. Best move: Qh7# — queen h1→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rkR/1ppbq1p1/1b2p3/3pPpN1/1P1n4/2NB2P1/2PK1PP1/2Q5 b - - 3 20

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