Chess Puzzle #1223m — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook a1; bishops e3/e4; pawns a5/b2/c3/f2/g2/h6. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook d6; bishop e5; pawns a7/b7/c5. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen f3→f5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d6→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q3k/pp6/3r3P/P1p1b3/4B3/2P1BQ2/1P3PP1/R5K1 w - - 3 35

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