Chess Puzzle #HC3X9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1644 · Advanced · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/e1; bishops c2/g5; knight f5; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/f8; bishop e7; knights c6/d5; pawns a6/b5/c5/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxg5 — bishop e7→g5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight f5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Ndxe7 (knight d5→e7, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen h5→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/2q1bppp/p1n5/1ppnpNBQ/8/2P4P/PPB2PP1/R3R1K1 b - - 4 21

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