Chess Puzzle #4tL1n — Intermediate, Black to move, opening

Rating 1512 · Intermediate · intermezzo, mate, mate in 2, opening, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/g2; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen c8; rooks a8/h8; bishops f8/h3; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e5/f6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh3 — bishop g2→h3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight d4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
  3. Best move: Qxh3# — queen c8→h3, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

intermezzo, mate, mate in 2, opening, short. The combination ends with Qxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1q1kb1r/ppp2p1p/3p1p2/4p3/2PnP3/3P2Pb/PP2NPBP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 2 10

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