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

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook g7; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b4; rook g6; knight e4; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg6 — rook g7→g6, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen b4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop e2→f1).
3. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen e1→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Qxf1# — queen f2→f1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2Q3R1/p3p1rp/1p1p1p2/1q1Pn3/4P3/PP2BPPP/6K1 w - - 0 28

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