Chess Puzzle #3loC9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen g4; rooks b2/g1; bishop e6; pawns a3/c2/e3/f4/h4. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks d8/f5; knights c5/h7; pawns a7/b5/c6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook f5→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg8+ — queen g4→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg8 (rook d8→g8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxg8# — rook g1→g8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/p1q4n/2p1B3/1pn2r2/5PQP/P3P3/1RP5/4K1R1 b - - 0 30

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