Chess Puzzle #508pZ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks d1/d7; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b2; rooks c8/f8; pawns a6/b7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg6 — queen f7→g6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen b2→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/1p1R1Qp1/p6p/8/8/8/Pq3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 3 27

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