Chess Puzzle #0F846 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f3; rook c7; bishops b5/d6; pawns a4/b3/e5/g4/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook d8; bishop d4; pawns e2/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e1=Q — pawn e2→e1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2R2pp1/1q1Bp2p/1B2P3/P2b2PP/1P3Q2/4p2K/8 b - - 1 28

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