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

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks d1/d2; knight f3; pawns a2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks b2/d6; knight f6; pawns a7/e6/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d2→d6, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen f2→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4pp1/3rpnp1/2q5/2P2Q2/5N2/Pr1R1PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 26

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