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

Position

White: king a1; queen f4; rook g2; pawns a2/b3/f5/h5. Black: king g8; queen f1; rooks c5/c8; pawns a3/b4/d6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf1 — queen f4→f1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen f1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/6p1/3p3p/2r2P1P/1p3Q2/pP6/P5R1/K4q2 w - - 0 38

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