Chess Puzzle #3J3BK — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1010 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks a1/e3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2. Black: king g6; queen h4; rook d2; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rg3 — rook e3→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen h4→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
  3. Best move: Qh1# — queen h2→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp4pp/2p3k1/8/5Qnq/2N1R3/PPPr1PP1/R5K1 w - - 0 23

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