Chess Puzzle #1U62w — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks f1/g4; bishop a1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks d8/f8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg6+ — queen h5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen g6→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/pp4p1/3b3p/1q2p2Q/6R1/8/P4PPP/B4RK1 b - - 1 27

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