Chess Puzzle #3JE2Q — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1185 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/e2; knights c3/f3; pawns a3/b2/e3/f2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks a8/e8; bishop d6; knights c6/g4; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf1 — bishop e2→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bh2+ — bishop d6→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh2 (knight f3→h2, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxh2# — queen h3→h2, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp3ppp/2nb4/3p4/6n1/P1N1PN1q/1P2BP2/R1BQR1K1 w - - 2 17

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