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

Rating 975 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b3/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen e7; rook a8; bishop g7; knight b8; pawns a7/c3/c6/f5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: O-O-O — king e1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa3+ — queen e7→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  3. Best move: Qb2# — queen a3→b2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn3k2/p3q1b1/2p3pp/5p2/2Q5/1Pp1B3/P1P2PPP/R3K2R w KQ - 2 19

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