Chess Puzzle #23FBF — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e6; pawns a2/b2/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen d1→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen h4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p5pp/4R3/3p4/7q/4P3/PP4PP/R2Q2K1 w - - 1 22

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