Chess Puzzle #12lLu — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f3; rooks d1/h3; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/g4. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks c7/d8; pawns a7/b4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen c5→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook d1→c1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c7→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p1r2pp1/4p2p/2qpN3/1p4P1/2P2Q1R/PP4P1/1K1R4 w - - 0 25

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