Chess Puzzle #CEfxq — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1523 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen h3; rooks a1/h1; bishop h6; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knights b8/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh6 — bishop f8→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen h3→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qf7# — queen e6→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn1q1bkr/pp5p/2p1pnpB/4N3/3P4/7Q/PPP2PPP/R3K2R b KQ - 5 12

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