Chess Puzzle #0rM1H — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1262 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rook f1; bishop b5; knights d2/f3; pawns d4/e5/f2/g2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rook g8; bishops d8/h3; knight c6; pawns c7/d5/f7/h5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen d7→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nh2 (knight f3→h2).
  3. Best move: Qg2# — queen h3→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3bk1r1/1Qpq1p1p/2n5/1B1pP2p/3P4/5N1b/3N1PP1/5R1K w - - 0 21

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