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

Rating 1107 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen h4; rooks d1/h1; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/g2. Black: king e7; queen e3; rook c8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/f6/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c3 — pawn c2→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc3+ — rook c8→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxc3# — queen e3→c3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxc3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/pp2k2p/3p1p2/3Ppb2/7Q/4qN2/PPPN2P1/2KR3R w - - 3 25

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