Chess Puzzle #0QEcv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f6; queen e4; bishop g5; pawns a2/c3/f3. Black: king g8; queen h3; rook g2; pawns a5/c7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen h3→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen e4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen d7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen a8→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2p2p1p/5K2/p5B1/4Q3/2P2P1q/P5r1/8 b - - 5 37

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