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

Rating 731 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook g3; bishop f4; knight d3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/g2. Black: king h7; queen f5; rook g8; bishop c8; knight g4; pawns a7/c6/d5/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nb4 — knight d3→b4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qb1+ — queen f5→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen d2→c1).
  3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen b1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2b3r1/p6k/2p5/3p1q1p/5Bn1/2PNP1R1/PP1Q2P1/6K1 w - - 6 40

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