Chess Puzzle #1mO9w — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 944 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king d1; queen g2; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/d2/e2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f7; rook f8; bishops e6/f2; knight d7; pawns a7/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf3 — knight g1→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bb3+ — bishop e6→b3, gives check. Opponent replies axb3 (pawn a2→b3, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxb3# — queen f7→b3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxb3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p1pn1qpp/4b3/8/8/8/PP1PPbQP/R1BK2NR w - - 2 14

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