Chess Puzzle #Epsj0 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1406 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks d1/e1; bishop h5; knights c4/d4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/g2. Black: king h8; queen g3; rooks a8/g8; bishops c8/g7; knight f7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/f5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne2 — knight d4→e2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bd4+ — bishop g7→d4, gives check. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c3→d4, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen g3→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1b3rk/pp3nb1/2p5/5p1B/2NNpP2/1QP3q1/PP4P1/3RR1K1 w - - 1 29

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