Chess Puzzle #2M78C — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 978 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks a1/f1; bishops d2/d3; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop b4; knights d4/f6; pawns a7/b6/d7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd2 — bishop b4→d2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight e4→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen h3→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/p2p1ppp/1p2pn2/8/1bPnN3/3B3Q/PP1B1PPP/R4RK1 b - - 1 12

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