Chess Puzzle #2OZt3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1248 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen h6; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishop e7; knights c6/f6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf8 — bishop e7→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop d3→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight f6→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen h6→h7, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2qr1k1/1p2bp2/p1n1pn1Q/3p2N1/3P4/2PB3P/PP3PP1/R3K2R b KQ - 4 17

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