Chess Puzzle #8Mc6f — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Rating 1459 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, opening, pin, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen e6; rooks a1/h1; bishops b2/e4; knight b1; pawns a3/b4/c2/d2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop b6; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen e6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
  3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen h6→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, opening, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1r1k/ppp3p1/1bnpQn1p/8/1P2B3/P3P3/1BPP1PPP/RN2K2R b KQ - 0 14

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