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

Rating 438 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen e8; rook f7; pawns a3/b2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen c7; bishop g3; pawns a5/b6/d5/e6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh1 — king h2→h1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c7→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f7→f1).
  3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen c1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4Q3/2q2Rpk/1p2p3/p2p4/8/P5bP/1P4PK/8 w - - 0 40

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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