Chess Puzzle #K9ND4 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks c7/f1; bishop h4; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c8/e8; bishop d5; knights d4/f4; pawns f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook c7→c8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nde2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Bxg2# — bishop d5→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Bxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/2R2ppp/8/3b4/Q2n1n1B/8/P4PPP/5RK1 w - - 1 23

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