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

Rating 1012 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook c1; bishop g6; pawns b3/c3/e3/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/d5/e4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen c7→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f2→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qe8# — queen f7→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/ppq3p1/6Bp/3p4/4p3/1PP1P1P1/5QP1/2R3K1 b - - 1 22

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