Chess Puzzle #3y7hr — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1044 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen b5; rook h7; bishops f1/g7; knights b1/c5; pawns a2/c3/d3/e2/f2/g2. Black: king c8; queen d5; rooks d8/g8; bishops a1/e6; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen b5→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Qb7# — queen a6→b7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2r1/ppp1ppBR/2n1b1p1/1QNq4/8/2PP4/P3PPP1/bN2KB2 b - - 16 19

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