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

Rating 1071 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks a1/f2; bishop c1; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/e4/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen h5; rooks d8/h8; bishop d7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g4/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen b5→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Qb7# — queen a6→b7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pppb1p2/2n3p1/1QN1p2q/4P1p1/2P1P1P1/PP3R1P/R1B3K1 b - - 12 19

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