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

Rating 718 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; bishop b4; knight e2; pawns b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rook e8; pawns c3/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop b4→c3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Be1 (bishop c3→e1).
  3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/6pp/8/8/1B1q4/2p2Q2/1PP1NPPP/6K1 w - - 0 30

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