Chess Puzzle #5Z581 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queen c5; rooks d1/e1; pawns b2/c2/d4/h3. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks a1/f3; pawns b3/b5/d5/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb4 — king c3→b4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra4+ — rook a1→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb5 (king b4→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qa6# — queen h6→a6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qa6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6p1/7q/1pQp4/3P4/1pK2r1P/1PP5/r2RR3 w - - 6 28

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