Chess Puzzle #7j1Ct — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1486 · Intermediate · kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks b1/f1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/c2/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/g6; bishop g4; knight f4; pawns a7/c6/c7/d6/e5/g5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg4 — queen f3→g4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxg4 — queen d7→g4, captures queen. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h3→g4, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight f4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  4. Best move: Rh6# — rook g6→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p1pq4/2pp2r1/4p1p1/5nb1/1P1P1Q1P/PBP2PP1/1R3RK1 w - - 0 20

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