Chess Puzzle #0LpP6 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e3; rooks a1/h1; bishops d3/f6; pawns a2/c2/c3/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks e8/f8; bishop h5; pawns a7/b7/c6/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg3 — queen e3→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen a3→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
3. Best move: Qxa1# — queen c3→a1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxa1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/ppp2ppp/2p2B2/4P2b/8/q1PBQ3/P1P2PPP/R3K2R w KQ - 1 14

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