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

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks f1/h3; pawns d4/e3/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook b8; bishops a6/g5; pawns a7/c4/d5/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg4 — pawn f5→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen f7→h7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r1q2k1/p6p/b5p1/3p1pb1/2pP2P1/4PQ1R/7P/5R1K b - - 0 30

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