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

Rating 1174 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook d6; bishop f3; knight d5; pawns a2/b3/c2/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks d8/e8; bishop h3; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook d6→d8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen e5→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Bd1 (bishop f3→d1).
  3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen a1→d1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/p1Q2ppp/3R4/3Nq3/8/1P2PBPb/P1P2P1P/6K1 w - - 1 25

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