Chess Puzzle #1Bi6E — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 640 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; knight c4; pawns a3/b2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c5; knight f6; pawns g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight c4→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d3→d1).
  3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/6p1/5n1p/2q5/2N5/P2Q4/1P4PP/7K w - - 8 40

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