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

Rating 1418 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen c6; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/g2/g3. Black: king g6; queen d1; knight f2; pawns b5/f5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh5 — king g6→h5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen c6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h5→g4).
  3. Best move: Ne5# — knight f3→e5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Ne5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2Q3kp/1p3pp1/8/P4NP1/1P3nPK/3q4 b - - 0 33

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