Chess Puzzle #3cuut — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1079 · Beginner · hook mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks b1/b6; bishop g6; pawns a3/c5/d4/g2/h3. Black: king d8; queen f1; rooks a8/f6; knight g3; pawns a4/c6/d5/g5/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook b1→f1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f6→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  3. Best move: Rh1# — rook f1→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

hook mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2k4/8/1Rp2rB1/2Pp2p1/p2P3p/P5nP/1Q4P1/1R3qK1 w - - 3 33

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.