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

Rating 1185 · Beginner · deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h3; queen d2; rooks a1/g1; bishop e2; knight h4; pawns a3/b2/c2/d5/e4/f2. Black: king h7; queen g5; rooks f8/g8; knight g4; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/e5/f4/f7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf2+ — knight g4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h3→h2).
  3. Best move: Qxh4# — queen g5→h4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rr1/p1p2p1k/1p1p4/3Pp1qp/4PpnN/P6K/1PPQBP2/R5R1 w - - 10 30

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