Chess Puzzle #1ow2I — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f1; rooks d1/h1; bishop h6; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook e4; bishop h5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne2 — knight d4→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2+ — rook e4→e2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe2 (queen f1→e2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe2# — queen c2→e2, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/ppp2p1p/6pB/7b/3Nr3/8/PPq3PP/3RKQ1R w K - 0 23

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