Chess Puzzle #1dYJ9 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen d4; rook b4; pawns a3/b2/c2/e5/g5. Black: king b7; queen c6; bishop e6; pawns a7/b6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd6 — queen d4→d6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen c6→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d6→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen h1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pk6/1pq1b3/4P1P1/1R1Q4/P7/1PP5/K7 w - - 9 52

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.