Chess Puzzle #OEr0o — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e3; rook f1; bishop e6; pawns a3/b2/c4/d5/g4/h3. Black: king a6; queen h2; rook e8; knight e5; pawns a4/b3/c5/f6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen h2→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen c2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen e3→c1).
4. Best move: Qxc1# — queen d1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/8/k3Bp2/2pPn3/p1P3P1/Pp2Q2P/1P5q/1K3R2 w - - 8 43

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