Chess Puzzle #0QuO4 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen h1; rooks d1/h8; knight g3; pawns c2/d2/e3/g5/g6. Black: king f8; queens a1/e7; rook a8; knight g8; pawns b7/c7/e4/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa1 — rook d1→a1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen e7→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b2→c1).
3. Best move: Rxa1# — rook a8→a1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, interference, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxa1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4knR/1pp1qpp1/6P1/6P1/4p3/4P1N1/1KPP4/q2R3Q w - - 0 26

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