Chess Puzzle #22vjI — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e7; rook f1; bishop e4; pawns a2/b3/e5/f2/g2. Black: king g7; queen h2; rook f8; knights e2/f4; pawns e6/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh2 — king h1→h2, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook f8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Bh7 (bishop e4→h7).
3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook h8→h7, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

Anastasia’s mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/4Qpk1/4p3/4P1p1/4Bn2/1P6/P3nPPq/5R1K w - - 0 36

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