Chess Puzzle #0md9A — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rook d1; pawns a3/d7/f3/g5/h2. Black: king h8; queen h3; rook d8; bishop f2; pawns a7/b6/c5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg3 — bishop f2→g3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen f7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: dxe8=Q# — pawn d7→e8, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with dxe8=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/p2P1Qpp/1p6/2p3P1/8/P4P1q/5b1P/3R3K b - - 1 35

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