Chess Puzzle #09CEu — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1239 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king a1; queen e3; rook e1; knight b2; pawns a2/c3/g5/h6. Black: king c8; queen b5; rook d8; pawns a3/c5/f5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd1 — knight b2→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook e1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qb2# — queen b5→b2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/5p1p/6pP/1qp2pP1/8/p1P1Q3/PN6/K3R3 w - - 0 42

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