Chess Puzzle #23Tn6 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rook e1; bishop b2; knight g6; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook d8; bishop h2; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook e1→e7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e7→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/ppq3p1/5nNp/5Q2/8/1P6/PB3PPb/4R2K w - - 2 28

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