Chess Puzzle #1a3yM — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; pawns a2/b3/c4/d3/g2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e1; rooks f6/f8; pawns b6/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe1 — queen e2→e1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f6→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf1 (queen e1→f1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/6pp/1p2pr2/8/2P5/1P1P2P1/P3Q1PP/4q2K w - - 0 27

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