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

Rating 1558 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f8; rook f1; bishop c2; knights g3/g6; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook a7; bishop a6; knights d7/d8; pawns a4/b5/c4/d5/e6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf8 — knight d7→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
  3. Best move: Rh8# — rook f8→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3n1Qk1/r2n2p1/b3p1Np/1p1pP1q1/p1pP4/2P3N1/PPB3PP/5RK1 b - - 4 24

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