Chess Puzzle #HSY9h — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen b4; rooks a1/e1; bishops d2/f3; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d3; rooks d8/h8; knights c4/g8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be2 — bishop f3→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe3+ — knight c4→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d1→c1).
3. Best move: Qc2# — queen d3→c2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2nr/pp4pp/2p5/5p2/1Qn1N3/3qPB2/PP1B2PP/R2KR3 w - - 0 17

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.