Chess Puzzle #119cN — Beginner, Black to move, opening

Rating 1062 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, opening, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen h6; rooks d1/h1; bishops f1/g7; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knights b4/c3; pawns a7/b7/c5/d7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa2+ — queen a5→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
  3. Best move: Qxc2# — queen a2→c2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, opening, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qxc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp1p1pBp/4p1pQ/q1pP4/1n6/2n5/PPP2PPP/1K1R1BNR w - - 0 12

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