Chess Puzzle #2Qrs0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 550 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king a1; queen h4; rook h1; bishop f4; pawns a3/b2/c3/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook d8; bishop b3; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook h1→d1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bc1 (bishop f4→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook d1→c1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p4pp1/2p1p3/8/4PB1Q/PbP2P2/1P4PP/K2q3R w - - 3 31

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.