Chess Puzzle #0tssL — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h6; queen g3; pawns f6/h3. Black: king g8; queen f5; pawns c4/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen f5→f6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen g3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen f6→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen b8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/5PpK/5q1p/2p5/6QP/8/8 b - - 4 45

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