Chess Puzzle #3PZ5z — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1056 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king d2; queen f4; rooks d1/h2; pawns a3/b2/c2/e4/f3. Black: king c7; queen c4; rooks g2/g8; pawns a7/b6/c6/d6/f7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook h2→g2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook g8→g2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d2→c1).
  3. Best move: Qxc2# — queen c4→c2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/p1k2p2/1ppp4/8/2q1PQ2/P4P2/1PPK2rR/3R4 w - - 8 34

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