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

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rooks a1/f1; bishops a4/c1; knight b1; pawns a3/b2/c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops e6/f2; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen d1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, opening, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pp3pp1/4b2p/8/B1p2Pn1/P5Q1/1PP2bPP/RNB2R1K w - - 4 18

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