Chess Puzzle #9PtD1 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen e7; rook b1; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/f4/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen d4; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/d6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g4→g5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb2+ — queen d4→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b1→b2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rc1# — rook c8→c1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/pp2Q1b1/3p2p1/7p/3q1PP1/1B5P/PP6/KR6 w - - 1 26

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