Chess Puzzle #0coE5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b3; rooks b1/b8; bishop c1; knight c4; pawns a3/d5/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d7; rook g7; knight f4; pawns a6/c5/d6/e5/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen d7→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
3. Best move: Ne2# — knight f4→e2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Ne2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/3q1prk/p2p3p/2pPp1p1/2N1Pn2/PQ5P/5PPK/1RB5 w - - 0 42

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