Chess Puzzle #G15nM — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1521 · Intermediate · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rooks a1/d1; bishop c5; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook e8; bishop b7; knight g6; pawns a7/d4/h5. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop c5→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen e6→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen h3→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pb6/4q1nQ/2B4p/3p4/1PN4P/P5P1/R2R3K w - - 0 26

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