Chess Puzzle #23RMW — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rooks e1/f1; knight f5; pawns a4/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen c5; rook e8; bishop b7; knight f2; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pbp2ppk/8/2q2N2/P5Q1/5P2/2P2nPP/4RR1K w - - 3 23

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