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

Rating 1127 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop d7; knights f3/g3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks b8/e8; bishop d6; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight f3→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen h3→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  3. Best move: Qxf2# — queen h2→f2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/pp1B1pp1/2pb3p/3p4/3P2n1/5NNq/PPP2P2/R2QR1K1 w - - 2 17

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