Chess Puzzle #01nHS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen f4; rook h4; pawns e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen g1; rook b2; bishop g6; pawns a7/e6/f5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook b2→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen f4→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qh8# — queen h6→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4p1k/4p1bp/5p2/5Q1R/4P1KP/1r3PP1/6q1 b - - 9 43

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