Chess Puzzle #Du1Zz — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1513 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; rooks g3/h3; pawns a2/b2/f6/g2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks e5/h5; pawns a6/b7/c6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen f4→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxh6 (rook h5→h6, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxh6# — rook h3→h6, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3p2/p1p2P1p/2q1r2r/5Q2/6RR/PP4PK/8 b - - 5 40

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