Chess Puzzle #Aja5E — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1528 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks e1/f2; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5. Black: king g8; queen h3; rook f8; bishop d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g7/h4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh2 — rook f2→h2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen h3→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/ppp3p1/8/1N1Pp3/2Pb3p/7q/PP1Q1R2/4R2K w - - 0 33

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