Chess Puzzle #FS5s8 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1541 · Intermediate · double check, hook mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame.

Position

White: king h2; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; knight f4; pawns a3/b4/c4/e3/f2/g3. Black: king f8; queen g4; rooks a8/h5; bishop d7; knight h4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg4 — queen e2→g4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight h4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h2→g2).
  3. Best move: Rh2# — rook h5→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

double check, hook mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/pp1b1p2/2p5/7r/1PP1pNqn/P3P1P1/4QP1K/R4R2 w - - 5 29

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