Chess Puzzle #TQ81m — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2307 · Expert · corner mate, deflection, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop f7; knights f3/h2; pawns a4/b5/c3/d3/e4/f2. Black: king d7; queen h3; rooks a8/h8; bishop b6; knight g4; pawns a5/b7/c7/d6/f4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qg3+ — queen h3→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Nxf2# — knight g4→f2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

corner mate, deflection, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Nxf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6r/1ppk1Bpp/1b1p4/pP6/P3Ppn1/2PP1N1q/5P1N/R2QR1K1 w - - 1 18

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