Chess Puzzle #0Nvq3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e1; rook e5; bishop g2; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook b8; bishop a6; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen d1→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook b8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1p2ppp/b7/4R3/5P2/6P1/PPP3BP/3qQ2K b - - 1 24

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