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

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rooks d1/d6; pawns a2/b4/c4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen f2; rook f8; bishop e5; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg6 — rook d6→g6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/pp6/2pR2p1/4b3/1PP1p1Q1/7P/P4qP1/3R3K w - - 0 28

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