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

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rook b1; knight b5; pawns a3/c2/d4. Black: king h8; rooks g4/g8; bishops e3/f7; pawns a5/d5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe3 — queen h3→e3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh4+ — rook g4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Qh3 (queen e3→h3).
3. Best move: Rxh3# — rook h4→h3, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/5b1p/8/pN1p4/3P2r1/P3b2Q/2P5/1R5K w - - 0 45

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