Chess Puzzle #Le1Qd — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2085 · Expert · kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks e1/f1; bishop d3; knight e5; pawns a2/b4/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d8/e8; knights c6/d7; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d7→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight f6→h7, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qf7+ — queen h5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  4. Best move: Ng6# — knight e5→g6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Ng6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/pp1n2pp/1qn1p3/3pN2Q/1P6/2PB3P/P4PP1/4RRK1 b - - 2 20

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