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

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rooks e1/e5; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rooks c8/f8; pawns a7/b7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf1 — queen c4→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f2→f1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/pp5p/8/4R3/2Q5/8/PP3qPP/4R2K w - - 2 27

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