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

Rating 1529 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rooks a2/f1; bishop c1; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d4; rooks e8/h8; bishop c5; knight c2; pawns f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb7 — queen a7→b7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen d4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f1→f2, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Re1# — rook e8→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rk1r/Q4ppp/8/2b5/3q4/P1N5/RPn2PPP/2B2RK1 w - - 0 20

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