Chess Puzzle #0QQ7y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook f8; bishop b2; pawns a4/b4/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen f3; rook d5; pawns a7/e7/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf8 — king g8→f8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5Rk1/p3pp2/6p1/3r3p/PP5P/4PqP1/1BQ2P2/6K1 b - - 0 37

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