Chess Puzzle #5PSdZ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1063 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks a2/f1; bishop b2; knight b1; pawns a3/c4/d5/e6/g2. Black: king c8; queen d6; rooks g3/h3; bishop d4; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook g3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qh2 (queen d2→h2).
  3. Best move: Rxh2# — rook h3→h2, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp1n3/3qP3/3P1p2/2Pb4/P5rr/RB1Q2P1/1N3R1K w - - 0 25

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