Chess Puzzle #56aOm — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1313 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop g4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/f3. Black: king g7; queen g3; rooks a8/g8; bishops b7/f6; pawns a5/b6/c6/d6/e5/f7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg1 — rook f1→g1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook g8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Bh3 (bishop g4→h3).
  3. Best move: Rxh3# — rook h8→h3, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/1b3pk1/1ppp1b2/p3p3/4P1B1/2NP1Pq1/PPP5/R2Q1R1K w - - 3 22

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