Chess Puzzle #1qGH2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 987 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rooks c1/f1; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rook f4; knight b6; pawns a7/c6/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen e4→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook f4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
  3. Best move: Qh2# — queen d6→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p5pp/1npqp3/8/4Qr2/8/PP3PP1/2R2R1K w - - 1 25

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