Mate in 2

Chess Puzzle No. 281: Can a sudden strike settle the game in just two moves?

Posted on 7 October 2026 by Delphine D.

07
Oct

In a rapid game (15+0) from August 2022, after a Caro-Kann Defence, Panov Attack, Black must reply to White's 30th move, Qxf3. It's your turn to find the continuation that turns the tables.

Mate in 2IntermediateBlack to play

Black to play and mate in 2

Puzzle: Lichess open database (CC0) · Pieces: Cburnett, Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

See the solution explained

Qxh2+ captures a pawn and checks the white king, leaving only one legal reply: Kxh2.

Kxh2 forces the white king to recapture the queen on h2.

Rh4# delivers check with the rook along the h-file: the white king on h2 is in check and has no escape, so it’s checkmate.

In the real game, the player missed the combination: he played Rf4, White replied Qxd5+, and he continued with Kh7 before losing on time. The idea to remember: an attraction sacrifice on h2 opens the way to a typical corridor mate in Pillsbury's mate style.

Fancy playing this puzzle on a real board? Discover our complete chess sets, with matching board and pieces.

Delphine D.

Delphine D. is the lead writer of the editorial team at Le Palais des Échecs, a shop specialising since 2008 in wooden chess sets, chessboards and backgammon sets. Her guides draw on the shop's hands-on experience: more than 5,000 customers advised and a catalogue built around the woods that make beautiful sets. Pale, very fine-grained boxwood set against ebony or rosewood for the pieces; maple, walnut and mahogany for the boards; palisander, olive wood or burr wood for exceptional models. Choosing a set for a child, a wedding or retirement gift, comparing woods, having a board engraved: she helps every reader find the set that suits them. Find out more about Delphine D. and the editorial team - Facebook - Pinterest - Youtube