Chess Puzzle #037Me — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f4; rooks b1/f2; bishop c1; knight f5; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/e4; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/d6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg5 — queen f4→g5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3pbp/1qpp4/3p1N2/2P1rQ2/8/PP3RPP/1RB4K w - - 1 21

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.