Chess Puzzle #0Htvc — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 961 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/d1; bishop c1; knight f3; pawns a3/c4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks a8/e8; knights c6/g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/f7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d1→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe1 (knight f3→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/ppp2p1p/2n5/5p2/2PP2n1/P1Q2N2/4qPPP/R1BR2K1 w - - 5 20

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