Chess Puzzle #3mbYx — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/g2/g3/h3. Black: king b8; queen c5; rooks d5/f8; pawns a6/b7/c7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
3. Best move: Qg1# — queen c5→g1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/1pp5/p7/2qr4/4Q3/6PP/PP4P1/3R3K w - - 0 28

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