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

Position

White: king h1; queen g6; rooks a1/f1; bishop f2; pawns a2/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f8; rooks d8/f7; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh4 — bishop f2→h4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f7→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1qk1/1p3rp1/p5Qp/3nP3/3P4/8/P4BPP/R4R1K w - - 1 23

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