Chess Puzzle #1h3hz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 993 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook f1; knights e1/e4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; knights c1/e7; pawns a7/b7/c4/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxa2 — knight c1→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
  3. Best move: Qh6# — queen d2→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/pp2np1p/4p1p1/8/2pPN3/2P4P/PP1Q1PP1/2n1NRK1 b kq - 1 20

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