Chess Puzzle #53RHh — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rooks c7/g7; bishop h5; pawns a2/f2/h2. Black: king d6; queen f6; rook f8; bishop f3; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rcxf7 — rook c7→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen f6→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qb1 (queen h7→b1).
3. Best move: Qxb1# — queen a1→b1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/2R2pRQ/p2kpq2/1p5B/8/5b2/P4P1P/6K1 w - - 2 35

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