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

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f3; bishops e2/e3; knights b1/c1; pawns a2/b2/c3/e5/f4/g2. Black: king e8; queen h2; rook a8; bishop c5; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c4/d5/e6/f7/g3/g7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf1 — king g1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Bg1 (bishop e3→g1).
3. Best move: Qxg1# — queen h1→g1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3k3/pp3pp1/2n1p3/2bpP3/2p2P2/2P1BRp1/PP2B1Pq/RNNQ2K1 w q - 3 18

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