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

Rating 1277 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen b7; rooks c7/f7; bishop d3; pawns a5/b2/c2/g3. Black: king e8; queen e5; rooks d8/h2; bishop d6; pawns a6/e6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh2 — king g2→h2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen e5→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king h2→h1).
  3. Best move: Qh2# — queen g3→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rk3/1QR2Rp1/p2bp3/P3q3/8/3B2P1/1PP3Kr/8 w - - 0 28

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