Chess Puzzle #1X3Ug — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1221 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks b1/e1; bishops d2/e4; knight b3; pawns a3/b4/d4/e3/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks b8/f8; bishops a7/h3; knight d7; pawns a6/b7/d6/f3/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg1 — rook e1→g1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bg2+ — bishop h3→g2, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg2 (rook g1→g2, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen g5→g2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/bp1n2p1/p2p3p/6q1/1P1PB3/PN2Pp1b/3B1P1P/1R1QR2K w - - 0 23

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