Chess Puzzle #1YCx3 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1010 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks d1/f1; bishops g1/h7; pawns e5/f4/h2. Black: king b8; queen e2; bishop h4; knight c6; pawns b7/d5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bg8 — bishop h7→g8. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen e2→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Rf3 (rook f1→f3).
  3. Best move: Qxf3# — queen e4→f3, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1p5B/2n5/3pP3/5P1b/8/4q2P/3R1RBK w - - 3 34

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