Chess Puzzle #HCTJT — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1932 · Advanced · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; rooks f1/f2; bishops d2/e2; pawns a3/b2/d4/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks g3/h6; knight f8; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f5/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf3 — rook f2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh3 (pawn g2→h3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rhxh3# — rook h6→h3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rhxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5nk1/p6p/1p2p2r/3pQp2/3P1P1q/P5rP/1P1BBRPK/5R2 w - - 5 33

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