Chess Puzzle #4RBxe — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1141 · Beginner · deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen b3; rook d1; bishop f3; pawns a3/b2/g3/h3. Black: king g7; queen c7; rook d8; bishop f2; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook d1→d8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen c7→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king h2→h1).
  3. Best move: Qxh3# — queen g3→h3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/ppq2pk1/2p4p/8/8/PQ3BPP/1P3b1K/3R4 w - - 0 27

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