Chess Puzzle #1AXp0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 983 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen f3; rook h1; bishops b2/e2; knight c4; pawns b5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook d8; bishops b4/c8; knight f6; pawns b6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop b2→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd1 (bishop e2→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qe1# — queen e7→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2br2k1/4qppp/1p3n2/1P6/1bN5/5Q2/1B2BPPP/5K1R w - - 1 20

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