Chess Puzzle #2B1HP — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks c1/h3; knight b1; pawns a2/b5/c3/d4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rooks c7/c8; knights a5/e4; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c7→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen e3→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p1r4p/1p2ppp1/nP1p4/1q1PnP2/2P1Q2R/P5PP/1NR3K1 w - - 0 23

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