Chess Puzzle #1gI7p — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e8; rook e1; bishop e7; pawns a2/b3/c2/f3/g2/h4. Black: king h7; queen d5; rook h8; bishop g7; knight h5; pawns a7/c3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa4 — queen e8→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd2+ — queen d5→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d2→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4Q2r/p3B1bk/8/3q3n/7P/1Pp2P2/P1P3P1/2K1R3 w - - 1 26

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