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

Position

White: king b1; queen d8; rooks d1/e2; pawns a2/b3/d7/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rook a8; pawns f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: dxe8=Q# — pawn d7→e8, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with dxe8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2Q2k1/3P1ppp/q7/8/5P2/1P6/P3R1PP/1K1R4 b - - 0 37

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