Chess Puzzle #4Db7Z — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1075 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen c7; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen a5; bishop d5; knight b6; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen a5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d5→d1).
  3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen e1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/2Q2pp1/pn5p/qp1b4/8/8/PPP2PPP/1K1R4 w - - 0 27

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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