Chess Puzzle #2kHZK — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1146 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen h5; rooks e1/e3; knight f1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g3/h4. Black: king h8; queen f2; rooks e8/g8; knight g6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh3 — king h2→h3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf4+ — knight g6→f4, gives check. Opponent replies gxf4 (pawn g3→f4, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qg2# — queen f2→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1rk/5p1p/p3p1n1/1p5Q/3P3P/2P1R1P1/PP3q1K/4RN2 w - - 5 36

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