Chess Puzzle #1k3Qv — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 444 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king a1; queen d7; rook h1; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2. Black: king f8; queens e1/e5; bishop a7; pawns c5/d5/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook h1→e1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen e5→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nc1 (knight b3→c1).
  3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen e1→c1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/b2Q1p2/8/2ppq1p1/8/1NP5/PP4P1/K3q2R w - - 0 38

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