Chess Puzzle #28j9B — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e5; rook g6; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/f2. Black: king f7; queen a6; rook h1; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka2 — king b1→a2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen a6→c4, gives check. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b2→b3).
3. Best move: Qxc2# — queen c4→c2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp3k2/q3p1R1/3pQp2/3P4/P7/1PP2P2/1K5r w - - 1 33

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.