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

Rating 1419 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c1; rooks e1/f1; bishops d3/g7; knights c2/f5; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; knights g3/g6; pawns a6/b5/d6/e7/f7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxg3 — knight f5→g3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen d7→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen h3→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1b1qppB1/p2p2n1/1p3N1p/8/2PB2nP/PPN3P1/2Q1RR1K w - - 1 22

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