Chess Puzzle #iLqt6 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks b7/f1; bishop e3; pawns a3/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c1/c8; bishop d4; pawns d6/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc1 — bishop e3→c1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f1→f2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen g4→d1).
4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1R3pp1/3p1q1p/4p3/3b2Q1/P2PB3/5PPP/2r2RK1 w - - 4 21

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