Chess Puzzle #0HeCr — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rook e1; bishop b4; knight e6; pawns a4/b5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f6; rooks d8/f8; knight c4; pawns a6/b7/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd8 — knight e6→d8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f6→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/1p4pp/p2pNq2/1P6/PBn5/7Q/6PP/4R2K w - - 2 26

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