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

Rating 1832 · Advanced · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen a6; rook d2; bishop g3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook h1; bishop d5; pawns c6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh1 — king h2→h1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen e6→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen h3→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/Q1p1q2p/3b4/8/6BP/PP1R1PPK/7r w - - 1 38

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