Chess Puzzle #1Sxqc — Beginner, Black to move, opening

Rating 1116 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks a1/e1; bishops c7/f1; knights c3/e3; pawns a4/b2/d5/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a8/e8; bishops d4/d7; knight h5; pawns a6/b7/c5/f4/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc2 — knight e3→c2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ng3+ — knight h5→g3, gives check. Opponent replies hxg3 (pawn h2→g3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qh6# — queen g5→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1pBb3p/p5p1/2pP2qn/P2bPp2/2N1NP2/1P1Q2PP/R3RB1K w - - 0 22

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