Chess Puzzle #DsC1d — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1437 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rooks e1/f1; pawns a2/c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d6; rooks d7/f8; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qg8+ — queen b3→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f4→f8).
  3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen g8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kr2/pp1rn2p/3q2p1/8/5P2/1Q6/P1P3PP/4RR1K b - - 4 22

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