Chess Puzzle #35oLp — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook f1; bishop d5; knight c7; pawns a2/c4/f7/h3. Black: king g6; rook e2; bishop e5; knight g5; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f8=Q — pawn f7→f8, promotes to queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh2+ — rook e2→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Nxh3# — knight g5→h3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Nxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/ppN2P2/3p2kp/2pBb1n1/2P5/7P/P3r3/5R1K w - - 1 31

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.