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

Rating 1126 · Beginner · master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen f3; rooks d1/e1; bishop d2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen a4; rooks c8/h8; bishop e5; pawns a6/b5/d6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook e1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen a4→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
  3. Best move: Qxb2# — queen c2→b2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qxb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k1r/5pp1/p2p3p/1p1Pb3/q7/5Q1P/PPPB2P1/1K1RR3 w - - 2 27

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