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

Rating 1453 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks c7/d3; pawns c4/f5/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c3; rook d8; pawns e5/f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd3 — rook d8→d3, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen f3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d3→d8).
  3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/2R3p1/5p1p/4pP2/2P5/2qR1Q1P/6P1/7K b - - 0 35

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