Chess Puzzle #2b1MQ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1108 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king d1; queen c3; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knight d2; pawns b3/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rook b8; bishop b5; knight d4; pawns c7/g4/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook h1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Be2+ — bishop b5→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe2 (rook e1→e2, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Qxe2# — queen e5→e2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2p4p/8/1bP1q3/3n2p1/1PQ5/3N1PPP/R1BK3R w - - 0 27

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