Chess Puzzle #9Y7Im — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/d3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rook f8; bishops b7/e5; pawns a7/b6/d6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen h4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen f2→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pb5p/1p1p2p1/4b3/7q/3B4/PP4PP/R1BQR1K1 w - - 0 21

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