Chess Puzzle #05nKL — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 972 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rook a1; bishops c4/g5; knights c3/f7; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g2. Black: king f8; queen c7; rook e8; bishop g1; knights d7/g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxg1 — king h1→g1, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen c7→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  3. Best move: Qh1# — queen h2→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rk2/ppqn1Npp/2p5/5pB1/2BP2n1/2N2Q2/PPP3P1/R5bK w - - 8 17

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

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