Chess Puzzle #3U64H — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1538 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g2; rooks a1/e1; bishops e2/f4; knight f1; pawns a2/c3/c4/d4/e3/g5. Black: king c8; queen h4; rook h3; bishop b2; knight e4; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f5/g4. White is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxd5 — pawn c4→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h3→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh1 (queen g2→h1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qf2# — queen h4→f2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1p6/p3p3/3p1pP1/2PPnBpq/2P1P2r/Pb2B1Q1/R3RNK1 w - - 1 33

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