Chess Puzzle #1H2ZX — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 994 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook b1; bishop e2; knight f3; pawns b4/c5/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen f6; knights e4/h5; pawns d5/e6/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nh2 — knight f3→h2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Nhg3# — knight h5→g3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Nhg3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5p2/4pq1p/2Pp2pn/1P1Pn3/4PN1P/2Q1BPP1/1R4K1 w - - 0 23

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