Chess/Puzzles/Directmates/Two-move 1/Solution

The solution is: 1. Qa2

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Starting position.

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

1. Qa2

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

If 1... Kxa8 then 2. c8=Q#

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

If 1... Kc6 then 2. Qd5#

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

If 1... Nb5 or 1... Nc6 then 2. c8=Q#

If 1... Nc8... 2. d8=N#

a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h

Other attempts

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

• The move 1. Qb3+ fails because the line 1...Nb5 2. Qxb5+ Kxa8 is mate in three, not two.
• Likewise 1. Qb8+ fails to Kc6 2. Qb6+ Kxd7
• And 1. c8=Q+ Nxc8 2. dxc8=Q+ Ka7 3. Qf7# is also one move too slow.