Chess Puzzle #227tF — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 923 · Beginner · fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks a2/f1; bishop g3; knight b1; pawns a3/b4/c4/d3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks d8/f8; bishop f2; knight d5; pawns a7/c7/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen g5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/pQp3pp/4p3/3n2q1/1PP5/P2P2B1/R4bPP/1N3RK1 w - - 0 18

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.