Chess Puzzle #07zHR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen a7; knight g4; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h6; queen c1; rook b1; knight f5; pawns d5/g6/h4. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh5 — king h6→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen a7→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Nh6 (knight f5→h6).
3. Best move: Qxh6# — queen h7→h6, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/Q7/6pk/3p1n2/3P2Np/4P2P/5PPK/1rq5 b - - 3 49

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