Chess Puzzle #176xP — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rook d1; bishop e3; pawns b3/f2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; rooks e2/e8; bishop h6; knight h4; pawns f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxh6 — bishop e3→h6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5p1p/2Q3pb/8/6Pn/1P2B3/4rP1P/3R2K1 w - - 3 31

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