Chess Puzzle #CDxPd — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1592 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; rooks a3/a5; pawns d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks d8/e1; pawns a6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf3 — queen f4→f3. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d3→d4).
  3. Best move: Qh1# — queen f3→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5pp1/p6p/R7/5q2/R2P3P/2Q2PPK/4r3 w - - 6 31

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