Chess Puzzle #1BUgR — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1382 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen b4; rook d1; pawns a4/d4/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d7; bishop e4; pawns b7/f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen d7→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen h3→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p1q2pk/5p1p/8/PQ1Pb3/7P/6P1/3R3K w - - 0 40

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