Chess Puzzle #2U4R0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1158 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen f5; rook e1; bishop d5; pawns a3/b2/c5/f4/g7. Black: king f8; queen c7; rook a7; knights d4/f6; pawns a4/b3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxg7 — queen c7→g7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen f5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/r1q3P1/5n2/2PB1Q2/p2n1P2/Pp6/1P6/1K2R3 b - - 0 37

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