Chess Puzzle #1xhW6 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1022 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; bishop b3; knight e6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks f8/h7; bishop c7; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/c6/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxf8 — knight e6→f8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight f4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Rxh2# — rook h7→h2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/ppb4r/2p1N1p1/8/5n2/1B6/PPP2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 22

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

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