Chess Puzzle #3xQ1F — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d7; rook c8; bishop f1; pawns f2/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b1; rooks e1/f8; knight c2; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook e1→f1, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook c8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qd8# — queen d7→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R2rk1/p2Q1ppp/8/8/8/5PP1/2n2PKP/1q2rB2 b - - 9 24

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