Chess Puzzle #4I5XS — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook c1; bishop g2; pawns a3/b4/c5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook d8; bishop c4; pawns b7/c6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen a7→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen e2→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
4. Best move: Qxf1# — queen d1→f1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/Qp3ppp/2p5/2P5/1Pb5/P5P1/4qPBP/2R3K1 w - - 5 25

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