Chess Puzzle #2AsKQ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen g5; rook d1; pawns a3/d6/e3/f4/g4. Black: king f7; rooks c2/e8; pawns a7/b7/h4/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh3 — king g2→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh4 (king h3→h4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rh2# — rook c2→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pp3k1p/3P4/6Q1/5PPp/P3P3/2r3K1/3R4 w - - 0 38

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