Chess Puzzle #2vhE0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1136 · Beginner · fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishop d5; knights c3/e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks c8/f8; bishop g5; knight d4; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qf1 — queen d3→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight d4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qxh2# — queen h3→h2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1p3ppp/p2p4/3Bp1b1/3nP3/2NQN2q/PPP2P1P/R3R1K1 w - - 0 19

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