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

Rating 938 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks b8/c8; pawns a2/d5/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen a7; rook f7; knight g3; pawns a4/d6/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg3 — queen h4→g3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f7→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
  3. Best move: Qg1# — queen a7→g1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1RR5/q4rk1/3p2p1/3P4/p6Q/6nP/P5P1/7K w - - 0 38

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