Chess Puzzle #0wA1Z — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c4; queen g3; knights c2/f6; pawns e4/g5/h5. Black: king h8; queen d1; knight d4; pawns a5/c6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc2 — knight d4→c2, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen g3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d1→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen b8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/5ppp/2p2N2/p5PP/2KnP3/6Q1/2N5/3q4 b - - 8 40

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