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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; bishop h3; knight a4; pawns a5/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king a8; queen d2; rook b8; knight d7; pawns a6/c7/e5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen c2→d2, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen d2→c1).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook b1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: kr6/2pn1p2/p6p/P2Pp3/N1P5/7B/2Qq1PPP/6K1 w - - 2 33

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