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

Position

White: king c1; queen e7; pawns a2/a3/c3/e4/f3. Black: king a6; rooks b2/b6; pawns c4/d6/e5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen e7→d7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
3. Best move: R6b2+ — rook b6→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d2→e3).
4. Best move: Re1# — rook b1→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, queen rook endgame. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/4Q3/kr1p4/4p2p/2p1P3/P1P2P2/Pr6/2K5 w - - 6 38

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