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

Position

White: king f2; queen b5; rook e8; bishop b3; pawns a2/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rook c3; knight f6; pawns a7/d2/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe8 — knight f6→e8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen b5→e8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen d6→f8).
3. Best move: Bxf7+ — bishop b3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4R1k1/p4ppp/3q1n2/1Q6/8/1Br2P1P/P2p1KP1/8 b - - 0 31

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