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

Rating 1137 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops c2/g3; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e5/f2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks a8/f8; bishop g7; knights c6/f4; pawns a6/b7/c7/e7/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh2 — king g2→h2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qh3+ — queen g4→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
  3. Best move: Qg2# — queen h3→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1pp1ppb1/p1n3pp/4P3/5nq1/2P2NB1/PPBN1PK1/R2QR3 w - - 4 19

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