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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook c1; knight b6; pawns a2/b4/d7/e4/h2. Black: king h7; queen f7; rook f3; bishop b5; pawns a6/b7/e5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d8=Q — pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f3→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook c1→f1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen f7→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/1p1P1q1k/pN5p/1b2p1p1/1P2P3/5r2/P2Q3P/2R3K1 w - - 1 34

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