Chess Puzzle #qbf5b — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2210 · Expert · deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen f3; rook d3; bishop c4; knight g3; pawns a2/b3/e4/g2/h5. Black: king g7; queen e1; rook h8; bishops c8/f4; pawns a5/b4/e5/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook d3→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxh5+ — rook h8→h5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh5 (queen f3→h5, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Bxg3# — bishop f4→g3, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Bxg3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2b4r/5pk1/8/p3p2P/1pB1Pb2/1P1R1QN1/P5PK/4q3 w - - 1 45

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