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

Rating 707 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop f4; knights b1/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f6/g2. Black: king c6; queen d8; rooks c8/e8; bishop c5; pawns a7/b7/c7/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf1 — king e1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
  3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rqr3/ppp4p/2k2P2/2b5/2Q2B2/5N2/PPP3P1/RN2K2R w KQ - 3 18

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.