Chess Puzzle #1i3cJ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 699 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop f3; pawns a2/b3/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/b6; bishop c7; pawns a7/c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfc1 — rook f1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen d6→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  3. Best move: Qh1# — queen h2→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p1b2ppp/1rpqp3/3p4/3P4/1P2PB2/P3QPPP/R4RK1 w - - 1 21

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