Chess Puzzle #4Sfc4 — Intermediate, Black to move, opening

Rating 1266 · Intermediate · kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/e2; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/d6/f2. Black: king e8; queen h3; rooks a8/h8; bishop e5; knights b8/g4; pawns a7/b6/c5/e7/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop e2→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bh2+ — bishop e5→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh2 (knight f3→h2, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen h3→h2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  4. Best move: Qxf2# — queen h2→f2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn2k2r/p3pp2/1p1P2pp/2pPb3/2P3n1/1Q3N1q/PP1NBP2/R1B1R1K1 w kq - 1 17

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