Chess Puzzle #4cAut — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1262 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks a1/f1; bishop d3; knights c3/g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/e7; knights d7/f6; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf8 — bishop e7→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop d3→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight f6→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen h6→h7, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bqr1k1/3nbp2/p3pn1Q/1p1p2N1/3P4/2NB4/PPP2PPP/R4RK1 b - - 2 14

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