Chess Puzzle #22Wcg — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1269 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; knight f3; pawns a3/c4/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g6; rooks d8/f8; bishop c6; knight g5; pawns a6/b6/c7/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight f3→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nh3+ — knight g5→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Bxg2# — bishop c6→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Bxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/2p3pp/ppb3q1/5pn1/2PP4/P3PN2/1B2QPPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 23

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