Chess Puzzle #3hh6Q — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1417 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks c1/f1; bishops b2/h3; knight b6; pawns a3/b4/d4/e3/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rook f8; bishops d6/e4; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight b6→d7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen h3→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p3p2/pNnbp2p/3p2p1/1P1PbP1q/P3P2B/1B4P1/2RQ1R1K w - - 0 22

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