Chess Puzzle #3IRni — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; rooks g1/g7; knight d6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/f3. Black: king h8; queen e6; rooks f5/h3; pawns a7/c6/c7/f4/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh3 — king h2→h3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh5+ — rook f5→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h3→g2).
3. Best move: Qh3# — queen e6→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

double check, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/p1p3Rp/2pNq3/5r2/5p2/3P1P1r/PPPQ1P1K/6R1 w - - 0 24

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