Chess Puzzle #5xooR — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c5; rooks d8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook d1→d8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen f2→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/pp4pp/2p5/2q5/8/1Q6/PP3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 4 22

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