Chess Puzzle #1Ch20 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/g4; bishop e7; knight a3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks a8/f8; bishops b8/c8; pawns a6/b5/c5/d4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf8 — bishop e7→f8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen h6→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Qh1# — queen h2→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rbb2rk1/4Bppp/p3p2q/1pp5/3p2R1/N2P4/PPP1QPPP/R5K1 w - - 6 22

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