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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e7; knight b5; pawns a4/b2/c2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook f2; knights g4/g5; pawns a5/b6/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight b5→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh3+ — knight g5→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Rxh2# — rook f2→h2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4R1pp/1p6/pN1p2n1/P5n1/6P1/1PP2r1P/R5K1 w - - 0 30

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