Chess Puzzle #M9s9e — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1406 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rook a1; pawns a5/b5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c5; rook c2; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen b2→b3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen f2→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/4p2p/PPq5/8/7P/1Qr2PP1/R5K1 w - - 1 34

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