Chess Puzzle #29tz2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook c1; pawns a2/c6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rook e6; pawns b6/d6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c7 — pawn c6→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook c1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4q1k1/5p2/1pPpr1pp/8/7Q/8/P4PPP/2R3K1 w - - 2 31

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