Chess Puzzle #3zf0O — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1073 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king a1; queen e5; rooks b2/g1; pawn f2. Black: king f7; queen a3; rook c8; knight f6; pawns a6/d4/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra2 — rook b2→a2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook g1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen a3→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/5k2/p4n2/4Q1p1/3p4/q7/1R3P2/K5R1 w - - 2 40

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