Chess Puzzle #1cb3L — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen h5; rook c7; pawns a3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e3; rook d8; pawns b6/d4/d5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen h5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxg7# — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2R3p1/1p6/3p3Q/3p4/P3qPK1/6PP/8 b - - 7 32

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