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

Rating 907 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen f4; rook d2; bishop f7; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king h8; queen f1; rooks a8/e8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxf1 — king g2→f1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bh3+ — bishop d7→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
  3. Best move: Re1# — rook e8→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r2k/pppb1Bp1/3p3p/8/5Q2/2N2P2/PPPR1PKP/5q2 w - - 1 20

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