Chess Puzzle #2VJhX — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1227 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f4; rook c7; pawns g2/h2. Black: king g6; queen b3; knight f6; pawns a4/b5/d5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c7→c6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen b3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen f4→f1).
  3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen d1→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/2R5/5nk1/1p1p4/p4Q2/1q6/6PP/7K w - - 2 41

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