Chess Puzzle #1X7gT — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rook f1; bishop g2; knight g5; pawns a3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks b8/f8; bishops a8/c3; knight b2; pawns a6/d7/f7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen h6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen h7→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: br1q1rk1/3p1p2/p6Q/6N1/8/P1b3P1/1n3PBP/5RK1 b - - 0 25

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