Chess Puzzle #1Dp2E — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1103 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/f3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/e4. Black: king g8; queen g3; rooks a8/f8; bishops d4/g2; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxg2 — bishop f3→g2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qh4+ — queen g3→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Bh3 (bishop g2→h3).
  3. Best move: Qxh3# — queen h4→h3, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppp2ppp/8/8/2PbP3/2N2Bq1/PP4b1/R1BQR2K w - - 0 18

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