Chess Puzzle #18n98 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 937 · Beginner · back rank mate, fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen a5; rooks e1/h7; bishop a2; pawns a3/b2/c2/f3/g2. Black: king c8; queen d5; rooks d8/e8; bishop b7; pawns b5/c4/d6/e3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen a5→b6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd2+ — queen d5→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d2→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2krr3/1b5R/3p4/Qp1q4/2p5/P3pP2/BPP3P1/2K1R3 w - - 2 28

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