Chess Puzzle #42C6P — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d6; rooks d1/d2; pawns a2/b3/c4. Black: king h7; queen h3; rook f8; bishop f5; pawns a3/b4/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf8 — queen d6→f8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen h3→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Rc2 (rook d2→c2).
3. Best move: Qxc2# — queen c3→c2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/5p1k/3Q2p1/5b1p/1pP5/pP5q/P2R4/2KR4 w - - 2 34

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