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

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks a1/e3; bishop c1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f7; queen g4; rook d1; bishops e7/h3; pawns a7/c7/e4/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd1 — knight c3→d1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen g4→d1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e3→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1p1bkpp/2Q5/5p2/4p1q1/2N1R1Pb/PPP2P1P/R1Br2K1 w - - 2 20

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