Chess Puzzle #07lUP — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rook b1; bishop e5; pawns a2/d4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook c1; knight d5; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook b1→c1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c4→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen b3→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4pp1/1p2p2p/3nB3/2qPP3/1Q6/P4PPP/1Rr3K1 w - - 3 26

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