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

Position

White: king b1; queen h6; rook f1; knight e2; pawns a3/d4/e4/h5. Black: king h8; queen a5; rooks b8/f7; knight c2; pawns a7/b2/c6/d6/e7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh7 — rook f7→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f1→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook b8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf8# — queen h6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p3pr2/2pp3Q/q6P/3PP3/P7/1pn1N3/1K3R2 b - - 2 27

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