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

Rating 1141 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen g3; rooks d1/h1; bishop f1; pawns b2/c2/d3/d5/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook c8; bishop c3; knight b4; pawns a7/b5/c5/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa2+ — queen a5→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
  3. Best move: Qxc2# — queen a2→c2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qxc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p6p/6p1/qppP1p1P/1n6/2bP2Q1/1PP3P1/1K1R1B1R w - - 0 24

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