Chess Puzzle #8WNcV — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1410 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rooks a1/d1; bishop f1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g5; rooks a8/f8; bishops e3/h3; pawns a7/b6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f8→f1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen g5→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/p5pp/1p6/3QP1q1/8/2N1b2b/PP4PP/R2R1B1K w - - 1 22

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