Chess Puzzle #1JXls — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d8; rook g1; bishop d5; pawns a4/b4/c3/d4/e4/g2/h2. Black: king a7; queen g3; rook h6; pawns a6/b7/d6/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook h6→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh3 (pawn g2→h3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh3# — queen g3→h3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3Q4/kp5p/p2p3r/3B4/PP1PP3/2P3q1/6PP/6RK w - - 1 32

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