Chess Puzzle #1WS9B — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks c6/e3; pawns a4/b3/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen a7; rooks d7/h8; bishop e7; pawns a5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg7 — queen g6→g7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d7→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e3→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3k3r/q2rb3/2R3Qp/p5p1/P7/1PP1R3/5PPP/6K1 w - - 1 31

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