Chess Puzzle #1Mldj — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1114 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishop g6; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; knights c6/f6; pawns a6/b7/c7/d5/e6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen e2→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e7→f8).
  3. Best move: Qf7# — queen e6→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q3r/1pp1k1p1/p1n1pnBp/1N1p4/3P4/8/PPP1QPPP/R3R1K1 b - - 1 15

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