Chess Puzzle #73pdl — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks d1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks c7/h2; pawns a7/f7/g5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen b7→c7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
3. Best move: Qh3# — queen h5→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pQr2p1p/8/6pq/8/2P5/PP3P1r/3R1RK1 w - - 1 28

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