Chess Puzzle #17D8w — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rook d5; bishop c3; pawns a3/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook f8; knight h5; pawns b5/b7/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh5 — rook d5→h5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
3. Best move: Qg1# — queen b6→g1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p4pp/1q6/1p1R3n/4p3/P1B3QP/1P4P1/7K w - - 0 28

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