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

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/e1; bishop g6; pawns a4/b4/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f6; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/c5/d5/e6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook e1→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/pb5p/1p2pqB1/2pp3Q/PP1P4/2P5/5PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 3 22

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