Chess Puzzle #19UBG — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f3; rook b7; pawns d4/e3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queens a4/c1; pawns a5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc8 — queen c1→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1R3ppp/4p3/p3P3/q2P4/4PQ1P/6PK/2q5 b - - 1 31

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