Chess Puzzle #1dx8h — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1091 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen f5; rooks f7/h1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/h5. Black: king b8; queen e2; rooks d8/h8; knight b6; pawns b7/c6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook h1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook e1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen e2→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/1p3R2/1np4p/5Q1P/8/5N2/PP2q3/1K5R w - - 1 26

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