Chess Puzzle #0e0i6 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1355 · Intermediate · kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/d3; knight f1; pawns a2/b3/c2/d4/f2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks a8/f8; bishop d6; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop d3→f5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bh2+ — bishop d6→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh2 (knight f1→h2, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen h3→h2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  4. Best move: Qxf2# — queen h2→f2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp3ppp/2pb4/3p4/3P2n1/1P1B3q/P1P2P2/R1BQRNK1 w - - 2 17

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