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

Rating 1021 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks b2/h1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b3/d2/e2/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks d8/e8; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook b2→c2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen e5→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c2→c1).
  3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen a1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/p4ppp/2p5/4q3/8/1P1B1Q2/PR1PPP1P/4K2R w K - 1 21

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