Chess Puzzle #0CC3Q — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 741 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen f1; rooks a1/h1; bishop e3; knight b3; pawns a3/b2/c2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/d8; bishop g4; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d5→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn1r2k1/ppp2ppp/8/3q4/4p1b1/PNP1B3/1PP2PPP/R3KQ1R w KQ - 2 14

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