Chess Puzzle #1lz1B — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1050 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king a2; queen b7; rook f1; pawns a4/b4/g2. Black: king h8; queen d2; knight e2; pawns a6/c7/e5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb1 — king a2→b1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight e2→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
  3. Best move: Qa2# — queen d2→a2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qa2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1Qp3pp/p7/4p3/PP6/8/K2qn1P1/5R2 w - - 0 40

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