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

Position

White: king h1; queen g5; rooks a1/h2; bishops c7/d3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e6/g2. Black: king g8; queen f2; rooks a8/f8; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg6 — bishop d3→g6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppB4p/4P1n1/6Q1/3P4/2PB4/PP3qPR/R6K w - - 1 21

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