Chess Puzzle #1eta0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; rooks a1/a5; bishop a2; knight b8; pawns a3/b2/d3/e4/f2. Black: king b6; queen c8; rook h3; pawns a4/c7/d4/d6. White is ahead by 12 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen c8→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Rh1# — rook h3→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Nq5/2p2Q2/1k1p4/R7/p2pP3/P2P3r/BP3P1K/R7 w - - 0 36

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