Chess Puzzle #4DG1z — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1066 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishops d3/d6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/e8; bishops e6/g7; knight f8; pawns a7/c6/d4/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne2 — knight c3→e2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa2+ — queen a5→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
  3. Best move: Qa1# — queen a2→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qa1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1rnk1/p4pb1/2pBb1p1/q3P3/3p1P2/2NB4/PPPQ2P1/1K1R3R w - - 0 21

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