Chess Puzzle #2QgZ0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1078 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; rook d1; knight d6; pawns b4/f4/g2. Black: king f6; queen a3; rook h8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen a3→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  3. Best move: Rh1# — rook h8→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7r/pp3p2/2pN1kp1/8/1P3PQ1/q7/6PK/3R4 w - - 4 40

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