Chess Puzzle #PNW2a — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1852 · Advanced · Boden’s mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/f1; bishops c4/g5; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/g7; knight d5; pawns a7/c6/d7/e7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf3+ — queen d3→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Bf6 (bishop g7→f6).
  3. Best move: Bh6# — bishop g5→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

Boden’s mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Bh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bqrk2/p2pp1bp/2p3p1/3n2B1/2B5/2NQ4/PPP2PPP/R4RK1 b - - 9 14

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