Chess Puzzle #1z8BR — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks a1/f1; knights b1/g3; pawns a3/c4/d2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/f8; knights e5/g4; pawns a7/b7/c5/e4/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight g3→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies gxf3 (pawn g2→f3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxh2# — queen d6→h2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, kingside attack, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp3p1p/3q2p1/2p1n3/2P1p1n1/P3P1N1/1Q1P1PPP/RN3RK1 w - - 1 17

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