Chess Puzzle #0g9sn — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook c1; pawns a2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b1; rook b8; knight g7; pawns c5/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb1 — rook c1→b1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook b8→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen c3→c1).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook b1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/4ppnp/6p1/2pP4/8/2Q5/P5PP/1qR4K w - - 0 25

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