Chess Puzzle #0xCux — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1137 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen a5; rooks e1/e7; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen d4; rooks d8/f8; knight d7; pawns a6/b7/c5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d7→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen a5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b8→a7).
  3. Best move: Qxb7# — queen c7→b7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qxb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1r2/1p1nR1p1/p7/Q1pP4/2Pq4/5P2/PP4PP/4R2K b - - 3 28

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