Chess Puzzle #Cl7oT — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1404 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks c1/f1; bishop f3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e3; rooks a8/f8; bishop c6; knight h5; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxh5 — bishop f3→h5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen e3→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: r4rk1/1p3ppp/p1b5/7n/8/2NPqB1P/PPP3P1/2RQ1R1K w - - 3 22

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