Chess Puzzle #06J1J — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen c4; rooks d1/g1; bishop h4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d6/f2/h3. Black: king b8; queen d7; rooks d8/h8; bishop h6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/e7/g2/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe7 — pawn d6→e7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d7→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook g1→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/pppqp3/3P3b/7p/2Q1p2B/7P/PPP2Pp1/1K1R2R1 w - - 2 22

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