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

Position

White: king f1; queen b5; rooks b1/e1; pawns a2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c2/e6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king f1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f6→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen f2→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4ppp/4rq2/1Q6/8/4P3/P1r3PP/1R2RK2 w - - 5 26

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