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

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook c8; bishop b2; pawns a4/d4/e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b3; rook b8; bishop g7; pawns d5/e4/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook b8→c8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen e6→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen c8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rR4k/6bp/4Q1p1/3p4/P2PpP2/1q2P3/1B4PP/6K1 b - - 3 32

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