Chess Puzzle #1Mbsc — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a5/f1; knight h4; pawns b3/b4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rook a8; bishops e3/h7; pawns c3/e4/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa5 — rook a8→a5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e5→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5ppb/7p/R3q3/1P2p2N/1Pp1b1P1/7P/3Q1R1K b - - 0 31

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