Chess Puzzle #4atbZ — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a4; rook d1; bishop g2; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f2; rook d2; bishop d6; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook d1→d2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen f2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen e1→f1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4p2/1p1b2p1/7p/Q4P2/2P3P1/PP1r1qBP/3R3K w - - 3 27

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