Chess Puzzle #12qAO — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook h8; pawns a4/d4/e5/f6/g4/h4. Black: king h7; queen b4; rook d2; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh8 — king h7→h8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen f4→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7R/5p1k/p3pPp1/1p1pP2p/Pq1P1QPP/8/3r4/6K1 b - - 3 37

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