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

Rating 728 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen g2; rooks c1/h3; pawns a2/b2/e4/f5/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks c2/c7; bishop g7; pawns a6/b5/d6/e7/f6/g5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c2→c1).
  3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen d1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2r1p1b1/p2p1p2/1p3Pp1/3qP3/7R/PPr3QP/1KR5 w - - 0 34

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