Chess Puzzle #2A49L — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 678 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen g6; rook f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king d5; queen d4; rook f8; bishop e5; pawns a7/b7/c6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf8 — rook f1→f8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f8→f1).
  3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen d1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/pp6/2p3Q1/3kb3/3q4/8/PPP3PP/5R1K w - - 2 35

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