Chess Puzzle #2YX3t — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1444 · Intermediate · attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop d3; knights c4/h2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e4/f2. Black: king c8; queen e7; rooks g8/h3; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a6/b6/c7/d7/e6/f7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg1 — rook f1→g1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook h3→h2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king h1→h2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qh4# — queen e7→h4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/1bppqp2/ppn1p3/8/2NPP3/2PB3r/PP2QP1N/R4R1K w - - 0 18

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