Chess Puzzle #IUi0o — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen h4; rooks a1/e5; knight e7; pawns f2/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen b1; rooks a8/e8; pawns a2/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa1 — queen b1→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rh5# — rook e5→h5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

Anastasia’s mate, attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r2k/4Nppp/8/4R3/7Q/6PP/p4PK1/Rq6 b - - 2 38

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.