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

Position

White: king c1; queen g3; rooks d1/h1; bishops d2/f1; knight c3; pawns b4/c2/e4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d4; rooks a3/h8; bishop c8; knight g8; pawns c6/d7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb2 — king c1→b2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4+ — queen d4→b4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b2→c1).
3. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a3→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Nb1 (knight c3→b1).
4. Best move: Qxb1# — queen b4→b1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2b1k1nr/3p1ppp/2p5/8/1P1qPP2/r1N3Q1/2PB2PP/2KR1B1R w k - 0 19

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