Chess Puzzle #qQx12 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2036 · Expert · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rook a1; bishop d2; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f2; rook e8; bishop c5; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight b1→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe1 (bishop d2→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qg1# — queen f2→g1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qg1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1pp2ppp/p7/2b5/8/3P1P2/PPPB1q1P/RN1Q3K w - - 2 17

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