Puzzle #30: Mate in 2
Rating ≈ 1300 · 2 moves to find
Black to move and mate in 2.
Show a hint
Start with the most forcing moves: checks first.
Show the solution
- 26… Qb6+ — the queen goes to b6 with check.
- 27. d4 is the only legal move.
- 27… Qxd4# — the queen takes the pawn on d4 — checkmate.
Why it works. Every move in the line is forcing, so the defender never gets time to organise a defence.
Themes: Mate in 2
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This position comes from a training game and was checked with a chess engine: every move you need to find is the only one that works.