Chess Puzzle #1b9O8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g4; queen d5; rook e8; pawns f4/g3. Black: king g8; queen b3; rook b5; bishop c5; pawns c4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen d5→f5, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: Qxf7# — queen f5→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4R1k1/5pp1/7p/1rbQ4/2p2PK1/1q4P1/8/8 b - - 3 47

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