Chess Puzzle #1n7oS — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1291 · Intermediate · arabian mate, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rooks d1/f2; bishops b3/h2; knights c4/g3; pawns a2/b2/c2/c6/e4. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks h6/h8; bishop f6; knights f3/f4; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/f7/g4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d1→d6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook h6→h2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxh2 (rook f2→h2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxh2# — rook h8→h2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

arabian mate, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6kr/ppq2p2/2Pp1b1r/4pQ2/2N1Pnp1/1B3nN1/PPP2R1B/3R3K w - - 5 31

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