Chess Puzzle #1acH2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e6; bishop e5; pawns a3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen g7; rook d8; bishop e7; pawns a4/b5/c6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd6 — bishop e7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen e6→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen h6→g7, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/4b1q1/2p1Q3/1p2B3/p7/P6P/6PK/8 b - - 4 43

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