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

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rook f1; bishop h3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/h2. Black: king h8; queen e3; rook a8; pawns a4/b5/c6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh3 — queen e3→h3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/5Qpp/2p5/1p6/p2P4/2P1q2B/PP5P/5R1K b - - 0 32

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